^r^% 


v 


^ll^ 


W 


L^> 


"■cm   *.*>    o 
^.  W   1^     '^ 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


liilM    |2.S 


1.8 


11.25 


14    111.6 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


w 


•'^ 


\ 


^\ 


[v 


K' 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


'H,^ 


,.a..^.  'MWlFn^<J*~ 


m 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


it- 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


{M 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 
D 


D 


D 


Couverture  endommagde 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur6e  et/ou  peiiiculde 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g6ographiques  en  couleur 

Coloured  inic  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int6rieure 


Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajout6es 
lors  d'une  restauratioi  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  6tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  suppl^mentaires: 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m^thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiqu6s  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


D 
D 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag^es 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaur6es  et/ou  pellicul6es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxei 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachet6es  ou  piqu6es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtachdes 

Showthrouigh/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  in^gale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materii 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^mentaire 


I — I  Pages  damaged/ 

I — I  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

I — I  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

J      I  Pages  detached/ 

I      I  Showthrouigh/ 

I      I  Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I  Includes  supplementary  material/ 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  ref limed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  M  film6es  d  nouveau  de  fapon  & 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqud  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  IB**  21K 


12X 


16X 


20X 


26X 


SOX 


0 

24X 


28X 


32X 


tails 
du 

3difier 
une 
Tiage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  orig.nal  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ►  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  ••nper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  tc  t^ittom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  origlnaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimde  sont  film6s  en  commenqant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  selon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
origlnaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  —^  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN  ". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tingle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


irrata 
to 


pel  u  re, 
nd 


□ 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1  2  3 

4  5  3 


■»'imm^^^^M^^^t^6,k;;^^^^^mt^^^9ii^-' 


■  iyiJ^a^jga^Bij&ftt#^i^a*''r'^ 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


A  BOOK  FOR  YOUNG  UDIES. 


By  J'V.' willing, 

ti 

Author  of  "From  Fiftebn  to  Twent^-Fivk,"  "Diamond  Dust," 
"The  Only  Way  Out,"  etc.,  etc. 


"  Both  young  men  and  maidens,  let  them  praise  the  name  of 

the  Lord."  — liiBLE. 


BOSTON: 

Mcdonald  &  gill, 

Office  of  the  Christian  Witness, 
36  Bromkield  Street. 


\ 


\  ^  -. 


\ 


•  >n  MS" 


Entered,  according  to  Act  if  Congre..,  in  the  year  1880, 

bt  Mcdonald  &  gill, 

in  tue  Office  of  the  Librarian  of  Congres.  at  WaBhlngton. 


■:^ 


\. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 


Tbte-a-tete 


PAr,< 


CHAPTER  II. 
Women  must  have  IIkaltu 


20 


CHAPTER  III. 
Women  Can  have  Health  - 


20 


CHAPTER  IV. 


HvciiENic  Hints 


CHAPTER  V. 


:.v  Books 


CHAPTER  VI. 
WniEN  Must  Study       ... 


64 


68 


CHAPTER  VII. 


How? 


70 


•■^-^-^-^ 


6 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTKH  VUI. 
Makino  tiik  Most  ok  Youu  Gifts 


Bbkau-winnino 


Talking 


Economy 


SKI,F-RK8PFX'T     - 


(llArTKU  IX. 


CHAPTER  X. 


CHAPTER  X[. 


CHAPTER  XII. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


Getting  Mahuieo    - 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


Making  the  Homk  - 


CHAPTER  XV. 


Work  fob  Cuuist    - 


80 


88 


^10 


138 


145 


160 


180 


201 


Bf  ■.ma.'  ~— "i»S 


MOB 


■■I 


80 


88 


UO 


128 


145 


100 


180 


201 


The  Potential  Woman. 


CHAPTER   I. 


TETE-A-TETE. 


Mr  twenty  thousand  young  men  "  from  fifteen 
to  twenty-five  "  have  bowed  themselves  out,  the 
last  one  waving  me  a  merry  "Good-bye,"  which 
I  love  to  turn  buck  into  its  native  Saxon,  "  God 
be  with  you."  There  is  a  little  restful  silence 
in  my  study.  It  has  not  had  time  to  become 
loneliness,  however,  for  there  is  a  rustle  just 
outside  the  door.  Young  feet  touch  the  thresh- 
old, and  my  girls  come  trooping  in,  their  bright 
faces  aglow  with  gladness.  They  settle  down 
about  me  like  a  flock  of  doves,  and  look  up  with 
a  mischievous  shyness,  as  if  they  half  expected 
a  lecture  on  their  shortcomings.  Not  a  bit  of  it, 
guls !    I  am  quite  too  gldd  to  see  you ;  and  I 

1 


%9 


8 


THE   POTENTIAL   WOMAN. 


enjoy  qui' n  too  heartily  your  fresh,  cxuboraiit 
spirits,  to  t:y  to  tone  you  dowu  too  suddenly  or 
prematurely,  to  the  sober  realities.  I  want  to 
talk  to  you  a  little  while,  con  amorc ;  and  I 
trust  that  lie  who  stands  "in  our  midst,"  will 
make  what  I  say  helpful  in  preparing  you  for 
the  earnest  work  that  lies  in  the  path  of  each,  a 
little  further  on. 

My  audience  is  larger  this  time.  Wo  keep 
our  girls  more  carefully  than  Ave  do  our  boys ; 
and  we  can  generally  get  at  them  with  earnest 
talk.  We  would  be  dreadfully  shocked  to  see 
them  lounging  on  street  corners,  or  in  railroad 
stations,  going  to  base-ball  parks,  circuses,  and 
race-courses,  looking  in  at  saloons,  and  billiard 
halls,  "  just  to  see  what  is  going  on." 

We  let  the  poor  boys  stray  wherever  their 
curiosity  takes  them.  Untold  numbers  of  them 
are  snared  by  Satan,  and  we  fail  to  take  the 
warning.  We  give  them  twenty  times  the  lib- 
erty to  run  at  their  own  foolish  will :  and  twen- 
ty times  more  men  than  women  are  sent  to 
the  State's  prison. 


li,  exuboruiit 
suddenly  or 
.  I  want  to 
nore ;  and  I 
midst,"  will 
ling  you  for 
,th  of  each,  a 

).  Wo  keep 
Id  our  boys; 
with  earnest 
ocked  to  see 
ir  in  railroad 
circuses,  and 

,  and  billiard 

>» 

I. 

lerever  their 
ibers  of  them 

to  take  the 
iraes  the  lib- 
11 :  and  twen- 

are  sent  to 


TKTi:-A-TKTE. 


9 


Ileatheti  and  Moluunmcdan  men  thank  the 
gods  daily  that  they  were  not  born  women.  Un- 
til we  bcoomo  more  caret'ul  of  the  morals  of  our 
sons,  I  am  not  sure  but  women  ought  to  use  the 
obverse  of  this  thanksgiving. 

The  Potential  Woman.  Does  the  title  call 
up  a  school-room  nightmare?  I  low  like  Victor 
Hugo's  devil-fish  did  that  awful  potential  mood 
seize  the  wee,  weak  brain  I  How  tl»o  nervous 
little  fingers  twisted  the  apron-strings,  while  the 
small  memory  staggered  under  the  conjugation 
of  a  dreadful  verb,  with  an  interminable  tangle 
of  auxiliaries  switching  and  snapping  about  I 
The  call,  "  Second  class  in  grammar  I "  boomed 
over  our  heads  like  an  alarm  gun,  startling  us 
out  of  our  mischief,  and  plunging  us  into  the 
terrible  mnemonic  wrestle  with  those  mights, 
coulds,  woulds,  and  shoulds,  dos,  bes,  haves, 
and  loves.  How  our  cheeks  burned,  our  eyes 
rolled,  and  our  hearts  thumped  I  If  we  took  a 
running  jump  and  rattled  off  the  auxiliaries,  wo 
were  sure  to  catch  the  toe,  and  stumble  upon 
the  wrong  principal.    If  we  crept  along,  syllable 


,'.r-i^ 


10 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


by  syllable,  we  lost  our  point  of  compass,  and 

rushed  wildly  about  the  verbal  jungle,  while 

the  terrific  "  Next ! "  sounded  over  our  heads. 
We  cauie  at  last  to  know  that  the  potential 

mood  implied  "liberty,  necessity,  power,  will, 

and  obligation." 

In  talking  to  you  about  the  potential  woman, 

I  may  speak  of  what  she  may,  can,  must,  might, 

could,  would,  and  should  be  and  do. 

Each  woman  is  a  responsible,  human  soul. 
There  are  millions  who  do  not  believe  that  sim- 
ple truth,  especially  in  India,  China,  and  Mor- 
mondom.  In  fact,  nowhere  in  this  wide,  sad 
world,  is  there  heart  or  hope  for  woman,  except 
where  the  sentiment  of  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ  is 
wrought  into  the  social  structure  about  her. 
The  Son  of  Mary  was,  and  is,  the  best  Friend 
she  ever  had,  or  ever  can  have.  None  but  an 
apostle  of  His  would  have  dared  write,  "  There 
is  neither  male  nor  female,  for  ye  are  all  one  in 

Christ  Jesus." 

The  Creator  alone  has  authority  to  limit  "the 
sphere  "  of  the  attainmei^t  or  activity  of  any 


^j^.-.!»Bi^wjBjMw,s;Bift,(jfiiaa.<^-T'^^'»»- 


AN. 

:  compass,  and 
jungle,  while 
er  our  heads. 
it  the  potential 
y,  power,  will, 

itential  woman, 
n,  must,  might, 

do. 

),  human  soul, 
elieve  that  sim- 
Ihina,  and  Mor- 

this  wide,  sad 
woman,  except 
I  Jesus  Christ  is 
bure  about  her. 
the  best  Friend 
.  None  but  an 
d  write,  "  There 
fe  are  all  one  in 

ity  to  limit  "the 
activity  of  any 


TETE-A-TETE. 


11 


human  being.  To  His  bar  alone,  all  may  ap- 
peal. "  Whom  the  Son  maketh  free,  is  free  in- 
deed." That  is  the  measure  of  the  woman's  lib- 
erty. 

When  it  comes  to  the  question  of  her  ability, 
there  is  a  fearful  jangle  of  voices.  An  East  In- 
dian gentleman  said  to  a  missionary, "  We  would 
be  glad  to  teach  our  women  as  you  do  yours, 
treating  them  as  equals,  and  giving  them  a 
chance  in  the  world;  but  we  cannot,  because 
they  are  fools."  An  absurdity,  as  we  see  it ;  for 
the  child  follows  the  condition  of  the  mother: 
and  where  men  have  brain,  their  mothers  can- 
not have  been  idiots. 

God  reSpects  the  mental  capability  of  women. 
He  trudts  them  with  the  most  delicate  and  pre- 
cious material,  putting  into  their  hands  the  best 
work  He  has  in  this  world,  the  care  of  the  little 
children. 

If  the  motto  on  Gambetta's  ring  be  true, 
"  Vouloir  c'est  pouvoir"  the  woman  can  hardly 
be  called  "  weak  and  feeble,"  for  it  is  generally 
understood  that 


wf 


1U; 


12  THE  POTENTIAL  WO>LA.N. 

"  When  she  will,  she  will, 

And  you  may  depend  on 't," 

Women  furnish  their  full  share  of  the  world's 
conscience.  Indeed,  there  are  many  who,  with 
their  heartstrings  tangled  about  feet  that  wan- 
der to  the  world's  end,  live  only,  as  kings  are 
said  to  rule,  "  by  the  grace  of  God." 

They  perform  the  larger  part  of  the  public 
service  of  the  Lord.  Often  at  night  it  is  unsafe 
for  them  to  go  unguarded  on  account  of  the 
wickedness  of  men ;  yet  they  fill  the  churches, 
and  it  is  generally  conceded  that  they  are  the 
most  devout  worshippers.  So  largely  do  they 
preponderate  in  numbers  in  the  church  that  our 
enemies  sneer  at  our  faith,  and  call  it,  "  fit  only 
for  women."  Do  you  not  see,  in  all  this,  in- 
creased obligation  to  do  good,  strong  work,  in 
the  world?  Every  point  of  power  conceded 
adds  to  responsibility. 

"Women  ought  to  be  faithful  to  the  Lord,  for 
all  that  they  have  that  is  worth  the  having 
comes  to  them  through  Christ.  The  Bible  is 
the  woman's  Magna  Charta.    Though  it  is  busy 


1 

L. 


LN. 


)f  the  world's 
my  who,  with 
;eet  that  wan- 
,  as  kings  are 
1." 

of  the  public 
ht  it  is  unsafe 
ccount  of  the 
the  churches, 
i  they  are  the 
rgely  do  they 
lurch  that  our 
11  it,  "fit  only 
n  all  this,  in- 
;rong  work,  in 
wer  conceded 

the  Lord,  for 
;h  the  having 

The  Bible  is 
)Ugh  it  is  busy 


TETE-A-TETE. 


13 


upon  the  tremendous  problems  of  existence,  the 
genesis  of  all  things,  and  the  origin  of  moral 
differences ;  yet  it  turns  aside  to  record  events 
that  shaped  the  lives  of  women.  This  is  the_ 
greater  marvel,  because  the  nations  all  about 
the  Bible  lands  made  wives,  sisters,  and  daugh- 
ters, mere  items  of  bargain  and  sale. 

To  illustrate  great  things  by  small,  these 
pauses  in  the  mighty  march  of  the  great  Book, 
remind  one  of  the  story  of  one  of  Garibaldi's 
night  journeys  over  the  mountains  of  Northern 
Italy.  He  was  at  the  head  of  his  immortal 
"Thousand,"  among  the  cliffs  at  midnight, 
when  the  song  of  the  nightingale  struck  his  ear. 
He  called  a  halt,  and  those  storm-bronzed,  battle- 
scarred  veterans  stood  with  bared  heads,  listen- 
ing to  the  music  of  the  bird,  their  hearts  back 
in  their  beautiful  southern  homes.  This  won- 
derful Book  steps  in  its  grand  movement  to  tell 
the  pretty  story  of  the  loves  and  hopes  of 
women,  and  that  of  their  loyalty  and  faith.  It 
mattered  not  that  the  hard,  bad  world  outside, 
intent  on  its  coarse  jangling,  did  not  believe 


iMff'<p«w:w»K*' 


14  THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 

them  worth  mentioning,  — the  sweet  little  epi- 
sodes went  upon  the  Kecorcl. 

Sarah,  the  empress-like  wife  of  Prince  Abrar 
ham,  towers  like  a  desert  palm  above  the  women 
of  the  tribes  about  her.  The  finding  of  Rebecca 
for  Isaac  reads  like  a  sacred  idyl,  illuminated 
with  the  high  coloring  of  the  tropics. 

Rachel  shines  like  a  star  in  the  dim  distance 
of  those  far-off  lands  and  days.  Her  life  was  so 
beautiful  it  stood  the  test  of  a  seven-years 
courtship;  and  "it  seemed  to  Jacob  but  a  few 
days,  for  the  love  he  had  for  her."  To  the  last 
she  held  the  heart  of  her  husband ;  and  after  she 
had  passed  out  of  this  life,  his  deathless  love 
made  her  sons  the  dearer. 

Moses'  mother  was  "  not  afraid  of  the  king's 
commandment."  She  set  the  world's  lawgiver 
adrift  upon  the  Nile  in  his  papyrus  basket, 
knowing  that  God  had  him  in  care.  In  response 
to  her  loving  faith,  her  boy  was  laid  back  in  her 
arms  within  a  few  hours.  In  the  palace  of  the 
Pharaohs,  the  shuttle  of  her  thought  played 
back  and  forth  through  the  child's  soul,  weav- 


eet  little  epi- 

Prince  Abrar 
)ve  the  women 
ing  of  Rebecca 
rl,  illuminated 
jpics. 

e  dim  distance 
Her  life  waa  so 

a  seven-years 
cob  but  a  few 
"  To  the  last 
. ;  and  after  she 

deathless  love 

I  of  the  king's 
world's  lawgiver 
lapyrus  basket, 
:e.  In  response 
laid  back  in  her 
le  palace  of  the 
thought  played 
Id's  soul,  weav- 


TETE-A-TETB. 


15 


ing  a  pattern  of  wondrous  grace  and  beauty. 
Slie  sung  beside  his  cradle  in  that  marvelously 
vital  Hebrew  vongue,  hymns  of  praise  to  the 
God  of  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob.  She  taught 
him  the  superiority  of  the  pure,  clean,  simple 
worship  of  Jehovah,  to  the  ornate,  corrupt,  sen- 
sual idolatry  of  Egypt.  He  grew  up  as  an 
Egyptian  prince-philosopher,  but,  at  heart,  he 
was  a  Hebrew  of  the  Hebrews.  From  his 
mother,  he  had  learned  of  the  Deliverer  who 
was  to  lift  from  the  world  the  curse  of  the 
broken  law.  She  had  taught  him  to  esteem 
even  the  reproach  of  Christ  greater  riches  than 
the  treasures  of  Egypt. 

That  old  story,  so  sweet  and  tender  in  its  pa- 
thos, yet  mighty  in  result,  has  illustrated,  for 
three  thousand  years,  the  power  of  the  mother 
over  human  destiny. 

The  Book  tells  of  Jael,  the  patriot  and  woman 
of  courage,  who  delivered  her  nation  by  killing 
its  arch  enemy ;  of  Deborah,  who  commanded 
its  armies,  and  administered  its  laws;  and  of 
Esther,  the    beautiful  diplomate,  whose  self- 


I 


16 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


sacrifice  and  faith  were  able  to  countervail  even 
the  unalterable  laws  of  the  Modes  and  Persians. 

Solomon  has  sketched,  in  Rembrandt  strokes, 
God's  model  woman.  She  is  industrious :  "She 
seeketh  wool  and  flax,  and  worketh  willingly 
with  her  hands.  She  is  like  the  merchant 
ships:  she  bringeth  her  food  from  afar.  She 
layeth  her  hands  to  the  spindle ;  and  her  hands 
hold  the  distaff." 

She  is  a  good  housekeeper:  "She  riseth 
while  it  is  yet  night,  and  giveth  meat  to  her' 
household,  and  a  portion  to  her  maidens.  She 
is  not  afraid  of  the  snow  for  her  household ;  for 
all  her  household  are  clothed  with  scarlet. 
She  looketh  well  to  the  ways  of  her  household, 
and  eateth  not  the  bread  of  idleness."  You  see 
there  is  no  snobbishness,  no  lily-handed  non- 
sense and  dawdling  about  her. 

She  understands  the  laws  that  underlie  the  rise 
and  fall  of  real  estate :  "  She  considereth  a  field., 
and  buyeth  it ;  with  the  fruit  of  her  haad,  sh«} 
planteth  a  vineyard." 

She  is  a  business  woman:   "She  perceiveth 


•T--xaimmlm 


;an. 

untervail  even 
J  and  Persians, 
brandt  strokes, 
istrious:  "She 
keth  willingly 
the  merchant 
om  afar.  She 
and  her  hands 

;  "She  riseth 
h  meat  to  her' 
maidens.  She 
household;  for 
with  scarlet, 
her  household, 
ess."  You  see 
ly-handed  non- 

mderlie  the  rise 

sidereth  a  field., 

her  haad,  she 

She  perceiveth 


TETE-A-TETE. 


17 


that  her  merchandise  is  good ;  her  candle  gooth 
not  out  by  night.  She  makcth  fine  linen,  and 
selleth  it ;  she  deliveroth  girdles  unto  the  mer- 
chant." 

She  keeps  herself  in  good  condition :  "  She 
girdeth  her  loins  with  strength,  and  strengthen- 
eth  her  arms.  She  makcth  herself  coverings  of 
tapestry ;  her  clothing  is  silk  and  purple." 

She  can  manage  benevolent  enterprises: 
"  She  stretcheth  out  her  hands  to  the  poor ; 
yea,  she  stretcheth  forth  her  hands  to  the 
needy." 

She  has  dignity  of  character :  "  Strength  and 
honor  are  her  clothing." 

She  is  not  afraid  of  growing  old:  "She  shiall 
rejoice  in  time  to  come."  She  iias  no  fear  of 
the  spoiling  of  her  personal  beauty  by  the 
years ;  she  knows  that  they  will  bring  more  po- 
tent charms  than  they  bear  away. 

She  is  happy  in  her  domestic  life:  "The 
heart  of  her  husband  doth  safely  trust  in  her,  so 
that  he  sihall  have  no  need  of  spoil.  She  will 
do  him  good,  and  not  evil,  all  the  days  of  her 


18 


THR  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


life.  Ilcr  liusbuud  is  known  in  the  gates,  wliere 
ho  sitteth  among  the  elders  of  the  luntl.  Her 
children  rise  up,  and  call  her  blessed ;  her  hus- 
band, also,  and  he  praiseth  her." 

She  is  wise  and  thoughtful,  able  and  ready  to 
give  instruction :  "  She  openeth  her  mouth 
with  wisdom ;  and  in  lier  tongue  is  the  law  of 
kindness." 

The  spirit  of  inspiration  comraanda  tliat  her 
ability  be  recognized  publicly,  as  well  as  pri- 
vately: "Give  her  of  the  fruit  of  her  hands; 
and  let  her  own  works  praise  her  in  the  gates." 
This  command  is  obeyed  in  just  so  far  as  the 
Bible  is  made  the  supreme  rule  of  faith  and 
practice.  All  who  work  for  the  elevation  of 
woman,  will  advance  her  interests  most  surely 
and  rapidly  by  spreading  true  Biblical  light 
everywhere,  and  intensifying  its  brightness  to 
the  utmost.  And  every  woman  must  remember 
that  the  crowning  glory  of  feminine  character 
is  faithfulness  to  God.  "Favor  is  deceitful, 
and  beauty  is  vain :  but  a  woman  that  feareth 
the  Lord,  she  shall  be  praised." 


♦HI' 


AK. 

le  gates,  where 
ho  Uuul.  Ilor 
3secl;  her  hus- 

0  and  ready  to 
th   her   mouth 

1  is  tho  law  of 

latida  that  her 

as  well  as  pri- 

of  her  hands ; 

ill  the  gates." 

so  far  us  the 

3  of  faith  and 

e  elevation  of 

ts  most  surel} 

Biblical   light 

brightness  to 

nust  remember 

nine  cliaractcr 

r  is  deceitful, 

in  that  feareth 


TETE-A-TETE. 


19 


This  writing  will  not  bo  in  vain,  if  my  hun- 
dred thousand  girls  determine  to  bring  their 
lives  as  near  as  possible  to  God's  ideal  of 
womanhood. 


CHAPTER  II. 


WOMEN  MUST  IIAVK   UKALTH. 

This  crooked  and  perverse  world  has  been 
slow  to  understand  that  women  need  firm 
health  and  vigorous  muscle,  as  certainly  as  do 
mem.  It  has  had  queer  notions  about  refine- 
ment and  delicacy,  as  if  nothing  were  too 
coarse  or  common  for  men,  while  women  were 
either  of  a  higher  grade  of  beings,  to  whom 
only  the  finer  and  better  thinL;3  were  appropri- 
ate, or  they  were  of  too  fragile  material  to 
endure  rough  contact  and  heavy  wear.  At  the 
same  time,  with  strange  inconsistency,  it  has 
smoothed  the  path  of  the  favored  few  among 
women,  keeping  them  so  delicately  that  they 
Wjould  not  develop  physical  strength,  while  it 
has  laid  upon  the  many  burdens  most  grievous 
to  be  borne.  Left  to  itself,  it  makes  the  woman 
either  a  toy  or  a  drudge.    Under  this  incon- 

20 


WOMKN  MUST  HAVE  HEALTn. 


21 


ALTH. 

'orld  has  been 
on  need  firm 
certainly  as  do 
i  abont  refine- 
ling  were  too 
e  women  were 
ngs,  to  whom 
were  appropri- 
ile  material  to 
wear.  At  the 
sistency,  it  has 
red  few  among 
itely  that  they 
3ngth,  while  it 
i  most  grievous 
akes  the  woman 
der  this  incon- 


sistent treatment,  she  can  hardly  help  having 
an  ambition  to  get  into  the  favDrcd  caste,  if 
possible.     At  the  door  of  that  ambition  lies  the 
foolish  pride,  that  interferes  so  dcriously  with 
her  muscular  dcvch)pmcnt,  and  her  success  in 
the    remunerative    industries.      It  is  the  old 
Chinese    story  with  Occidental  modilications. 
In  China,  the  woman's  only  chance  ior  any  but 
the  coarsest,  hardest  life,  is  to  have  her  feet 
brought  down,  as  near  as  possible,  to  a  two-inch 
measure.    The  agonizing  process  is  begun  in 
babyhood,  and  she  must  be  kept  under  opiates, 
lest  her  screams  drive  every  one  out  of  the 
house.    She  cannot  hope  to  marry  well,  which 
means  to  be  supported  in  idleness,  unless  she 
has  "celestial  feet."     Crippling  and  helpless- 
ness  are   "le  badge  of   ladyhood.     To  move 
about  with  vigor  and  ability  to  take   care  of 
one's  self,  means  to  be  "strong-minded";  and 
in  all  heathen  society,  only  the  "  feeble  mind- 
ed" have  any  chance  to  get  rich  husbands:  that 
is,  to  live  delicately,  and  be  honored  as  remote 
reflectors  of  marital  glory. 


2S 


THE  POTENTIAL  WO»IAN. 


When  a  missionary  cnn  unbind  a  Chinese 
girl's  feet,  and  tcivch  her  good,  honest  work,  by 
wliich  she  can  eat  ind{!i)endent  bread,  and  com- 
mand the  respect  of  her  houseliold,  a  great  deal 
lias  been  done  to  help  her  out  of  the  horrible 
pit  of  miry  clay  into  which  she  has  been  thrust 
by  heathen  superstitions. 

When  wo  can  make  "  our  girls  "  understand 
that  physical  and  mental  strength  is  not  iucom- 
patiblo  with  genuine  delicacy  and  refinement, 
we  shall  lift  the  entire  civilization  to  a  better 

plane. 

Women  must  have  health.  According  to  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  "  the  pursuit  of 
happiness  "  is  an  inalienable,  human  right.  la 
order  to  be  happy,  one  must  have  firm  muscle, 
sound  nerves,  and  good  animal  spirits. 

Some  seem  to  think  that  it  is  not  at  all  im- 
portant for  a  woman  to  have  physical  vigor. 
They  say  that  in  the  natural  order  man  is  the 
bread-winner.  She  is  only  the  conservator  of 
the  home.  He  brings  in,  and  she  cares  for  the 
material    out    of    which  domestic   comfort  is 


_.__, — -Tcai 


N. 

(I  a  Chinese 
nest  work,  by 
mid,  and  cora- 
l,  a  great  deal 
[  the  horrible 
iH  been  tlirust 

"  understand 

is  not  incora- 

d  refinement, 

on  to  a  better 

cording  to  the 
the  pursuit  of 
lan  right.  la 
a  firm  muscle, 
irits. 

not  at  all  im- 
(hysical  vigor, 
ler  man  is  the 
3onservator  of 
3  cares  for  the 
ic   comfort  is 


WOMEN   MUST   HAVE   IIKAI.TII. 


23 


made.  In  that  joint  product  her  part  rotiuires 
dcftncHs  and  delicacy ;  but  she  has  small  need 
of  muscular  development. 

Tliat  may  bo  the  case  in  the  idnal  homo; 
but  the  majority  of  living  places  are  not  after 
the  ideal  pattern.  Tons  of  thouaaudH  of  wom- 
en have  to  win  their  own  broad.  Tiiey  have  to 
make  their  own  homes,  if  they  have  any  at  all. 
Groat  numbers  of  men  are  killed  off  by  fron- 
tier exposure,  shipwrecks,  war,  tobacco,  strong 
drink  and  crimes. 

When  a  thousand  men  arc  in  state  prison, 
a  thousand  women  have  to  take  care  of  them- 
selves. When  ten  thousand  men  are  in  mij^- 
ing-camps  and  on  frontier  ranches,  ten  thou- 
Band  women  have  to  win  their  own  bread. 
When  a  hundred  thousand  men  arc  at  the  front 
iu  wartime,  a  hundred,  thousand  women  have 
to  take  care  of  their  families.  When  a  half 
million  of  sots  stagger  into  the  drunkards' 
graves,  a  half  million  of  women  are  left  to  bear 
t'.icir  own  burdens,  and  those  of  the  disabled 
and  incompetent.     Orphans,  "  old  maids  "  and 


Wffiliii' 


1 


24 


THK  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


widows,  are  found  in  every  community,  between 
whom  and  starvation  there  stands  no  bread- 
winner. In  the  uncertain  condition  of  ordi- 
nary finance,  no  woman,  be  her  liome  ever  so 
guarded  and  sheltered,  can  tell  just  how  soon 
she  may  be  thrown  upon  her  own  resources. 

The  old  Hebrews  had  a  proverb  to  the  effect 
that  he  who  neglects  to  give  his  son  a  trade, 
teaches  him  to  steal.  When  girls  are  kept  in 
delicate  helplessness,  they  are  subjected  to  an 
infinitely  worse  risk.  Of  the  tens  of  thou- 
sands who  perish  every  year  in  our  great  cities, 
trampled  in  mire  under  the  feet  of  the  beastly, 
the  majority  might  have  been  saved,  if  they 
had  been  trained  to  earn  their  bread  honestly, 
independently.  They  were  kept  delicately, 
with  the  expectation  that  some  man,  —  father, 
brother,  or  husband,  —  would,  for  love  of  them, 
carry  the  burden  of  their  support.  When  that 
staff  gave  way,  there  was  a  desperate,  incom- 
petent clutching  after  something  to  do,  and 
then  the  sure  sliding  down  into  the  abyss. 

If  I  had  a  dozen  daughters,  and  a  million  of 


_ 


MAN. 

Qunity,  between 
ands  no  breacl- 
idition   of  ordi- 

liome  ever  so 
.  just  how  soon 
n  resources. 
3rb  to  the  effect 
his  son  a  trade, 
firls  arc  kept  in 
subjected  to  an 

tens  of  thou- 
our  great  cities, 
;  of  the  beastly, 

saved,  if  they 
bread  honestly, 
iept  delicately, 
I  man,  —  father, 
or  love  of  them, 
rt.  When  that 
isperate,  incom- 
ing to  do,  and 
the  abyss. 
and  a  million  of 


a-Jia^ifeMriiairiitMaaiKMWWi  «"*••" 


WOMEN  MUST  HAVE  HEALTH. 


25 


money  with  which  to  support  them,  I  would 
give  each  a  trade,  profession,  or  business  by 
Avhich  she  could  cam  her  living  if  the  wealth 
took  wings. 

When  the  woman  goes  into  the  market  with 
her  productive  skill  and  energy,  she  has  a 
quickness  and  fineness  of  perception,  and  a 
delicacy  of  touch,  that  few  men  can  emulate ; 
vot  she  is  often  without  the  evenness  and  bal- 
ance  that  only  the  healthful  can  hope  for ;  so 
her  best  qualities  are  unreliable.  It  is  oftener 
than  otherwise  a  qxiestion  of  muscle  whether 
she  shall  succeed  or  fail.  "  Clerking  in  a  store," 
she  must  stand  by  the  hour  with  nerves  imper- 
vious to  wear.  Teaching  in  a  dubiously-ven- 
tilated room,  packed  with  restless,  mischievous 
young  Americans,  she  needs  muscle  of  whale- 
bone, and  nerves  of  steel.  Sitting,  hour  after 
hour,  at  a  type-writer  or  sewing-machine,  she 
must  know  how  to  take  in  a  good  store  of 
health  and  strength,  in  her  scant  intermissions, 
or  a  break-down  is  inevitable. 

However  we   might  choose  to  have  it,  the 


26 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


fact  holds  that  millions  of  women  have  to  earn 
their  own  living,  and  at  a  disadvantage;  for 
they  are  paid  less  than  men  are  for  tlic  same 
amount  of  work,  as  well  done,  tliough  mer- 
chants, grocers,  physicians,  boarding-house 
keepers,  make  no  reduction  of  prices  for  their 
benefit.  To  meet  this  bread-winning  strain, 
they  need  the  very  best  health.  If  they  are 
fortunate  enough  to  bo  spared  that  burden, 
they  must  take  another,  even  more  important. 
The  children  are  the  future  of  the  house,  as 
well  as  of  the  church,  the  country,  the  world. 
In  the  old  slavery  days  tlie  child  followed  the 
condition  of  the  mother.  That  was  simply  the 
expression  of  an  immutable  law.  They  who 
raise  fine  stock  for  the  market,  look  well  to  the 
condition  of  the  dam.  How  infinitely  more 
important  it  is  that  the  mothers  of  human  be- 
ings should  transmit  sound  constitutions  and 
robust  vigor. 

In  the  present  faulty  system  of  things,  the 
father  of  the  family  is  usually  in  such  haste  to 
be  rich,  that  he  leaves  the  burden  of  the  care  of 


AN. 


■WOMEN  MUST  HATE  HEALTH. 


27 


ri  have  to  earn 
clvantagc ;  for 
3  for  the  same 
,  tliough  mer- 
boarding-house 
n-ices  for  their 
dnniiig  strain, 
.     If  they  are 

that  burden, 
ore  important. 

the  house,  as 
ry,  the  world. 
I  followed  the 
ivas  simply  the 
V.  They  who 
)ok  well  to  the 
nfinitely  more 
1  of  liuman  be- 
istitutions  and 

of  things,  the 
.  such  haste  to 
I  of  the  care  of 


the  children  upon  the  mother.  If  he  is  a  "suc- 
cessfiU "  business  man,  he  hardly  knows  his 
c:]iildren  when  he  meets  them  on  tlie  street. 
Their  mental  and  spiritual  life  is  to  him  a 
terra  incognita.  That  best  and  noblest  work  — 
character  building  —  is  left  on  the  mother's 
hands.  Does  she  not  need  prime  physical  en- 
ergy for  such  a  herculean  task? 

The  home  should  be  a   place  where   galled 
shoulders     rest     from     heavy     burdens,     and 
weary  hearts  lay  off  care,  getting  new  courage 
for  the  tug  and  strain ;  where  confidence  and 
love   reign  supreme,   and  where    the  bliss  of 
illcaveu  is  ante-dated  in  the  sweet  fellowship  of 
kindred   souls   "whom    God  hath    joined    to- 
gether," and  no  man  may  "put  asunder."     It 
should  be  brimniing  with  sweetness  and  rest, 
gladness  and  love.     Who  is  equal  to  the  tre- 
mendous task  of  making  such  a  home  in  this 
out-of-joint  world,  if  the   mother  —  the  priest- 
ess, the  i)residing  genius,  the   queen  —  is  laid 
iiside  half  the  time  by  ill  health,  and  is  never 
able  to  bring  to  her  great,  blessed  work,  the 


1 


1 


!   .i 


1 


28 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


gentle,  self-controlled,  all-conquering  energy 
that  it  demands? 

In  these  days,  and  in  this  generous,  gracious 
America,  great  oi)portunities  are  opened  to 
women  for  benevolent  work.  The  last  quarter 
of  a  century  has  demonstrated  their  ability  to 
attend  carefully  to  all  the  business  details,  and 
aggressive  plana  of  great  Christian  enterprises, 
accomplishing  what  their  less  skilled  brothers 
had  pronounced  impracticable.  There  is  hard- 
ly a  masculinely  managed  institution  that  has 
not  its  feminine  counterpart. 

Doors  of  usefulness  are  standing  wide  open 
on  every  hand,  inviting  women  to  use  their 
strength  on  the  Lord's  work. 

Synods,  conferences,  councils,  never  decree 
an  onward  movement.  They  simply  legislate 
into  line  what  the  people  have  already  pro- 
jected. The  people  are  giving  women  the 
largest  opportunity  to  use  tlieir  talent.  They 
feel  the  sore  need  of  help,  and  they  say, 
"  Whosoever  can,  let  her  lend  a  hand." 

A  consecrated  Christian   woman  must  have 


I 


HAN. 

uerinjj    energy 

lerous,  gracious 
are  opened  to 
'he  last  quarter 
their  ability  to 
ess  details,  and 
ian  enterprises, 
killed  brothers 
There  is  hard- 
tution  that  has 

ling  wide  open 
1  to  use  their 

,  never  decree 
imply  legislate 
'e  already  pro- 
ig  women  the 
talent.  They 
md  they  say, 
band." 
lan  must  have 


WOMEN   MUST   HAVK   IFKALTIT. 


29 


rare  health  and  vigor  to  enable  her  to  care  for 
her  own  growth  and  culture,  attend  well  to  her 
children,  keep  her  home  full  of  comfort,  and  do 
the  benevolent  work  that  the  world,  the  church, 
and  God,  claim  at  her  hands 


■nss9:^-ist^ 


I 


''^'*^-mgbs^M 


CHAPTER  III. 


"WOMEN  CAN   HAVE   HEALTH. 

Multitudes  boliovo  that  women  are  predes- 
tined to  physical  frailty,  iafirniity  and  illness. 
They  look  upon  the  vigorous,  healthful  woman, 
as  abnormal  and  exceptional.     In  their  minds 
there  is  a  sort  of  indefinite,  illogical  connection 
between  woman's  physical  disabilities  and  the 
fact  that  Eve   was   first  in  the  transgression. 
They  look  upon  her  nervous  and  muscular  in- 
feriority as  the  result  of  a  curse  from  God,  and 
so,    altogether    inevitable.      They  understand 
and  interpret  Scripture  bearing  on  that  point  as 
the  defenders  of  slavery  used  to  do  before  the 
Lord  struck  the  shackles  from  our  bond-people. 
They  who  saw  the  evils  of  the  "peculiar  insti- 
tution," and  yet  found  it  an  exceedinglj'  con- 
venient   arrangement  for  themselves,  shirked 
the  responsibility  upon   Providence,  pointing 
SO 


WOMKN   CAN   HAVE   IIKALTIT. 


31 


3ALTH. 

men  are  precles- 
lity  and  illness, 
julthful  woman, 

In  their  minds 
'ical  connection 
ibilities  and  the 
e  transgression, 
ad  muscular  in- 

from  God,  and 
ley  understand 
on  that  point  as 
0  do  before  the 
ur  bond-people. 
"  peculiar  insti- 
Kceedingl}'  con-  . 
selves,  shirked 
^ence,  pointing 


always  to  the  "  cursed  be  Canaan "  of  the 
Noachian  prophecy,  the  sending  back  of  Hagar 
to  her  mistress,  and  the  Apostle  Paul  remand- 
ing to  servitude  one  of  his  converts. 

These  superficial,  easy-going  interpretations 
of  Scripture,  have  gone  down  before  the  logic 
of  events.  The  theory  that  throws  ui)()n  the 
Lord  the  responsibility  of  having  pre-doomed 
to  physical  suffering  one  half  of  His  children, 
the  half  that  is  generally  conceded  to  be  the 
more  loyal,  obedient,  and  trustful,  will  fare  no 
better  in  the  clearer  shining  of  the  Divine 
light. 

If  all  women  are  born  under  a  curse,  how  do 
the  savages  manage  to  escape  it?  They  do  all 
the  drudgery,  and  bear  all  the  heaviest  bur- 
dens, and  yet  they  are  exempt  from  physical 
limitations;  and  so,  also,  are  women  who  do 
hard,  out-door  work,  in  Europe  and  America. 
If  ill  health  were  an  inherited  mark  of 
Divine  displeasure  on  account  of  Eve's  sin, 
they  who  obey  and  trust  the  Lord  ought  to 
have  a  better  chance  of  escape  than  heathen 
women  have. 


~--^V^|Uj^ 


KMH 


^ 


'°**f      aB 


82 


THE   rOTEXTIAL   WOMAX. 


I  think  tliose  f)ld  Scriptuml  words  on  tliisi 
subject  arc  simply  a  prophecy  ;  as  if  God  hud 
said :  "  Because  you  have  disobeyed  nie,  sin 
and  suffering  have  come  into  the  workl.  As 
a  result  of  the  new  order,  or  disorder,  selfish- 
ness and  sensuality  will  keep  you  delicaloly  for 
your  personal  charms,  shutting  you  up  in 
seraglios,  zenanas,  harems,  and  the  like,  caus- 
ing muscular  deterioration,  making  you  under- 
sized, and  inferior  in  strength ;  and  so,  '  in  sor- 
row '  shall  your  cri^jpled,  dwarfed  life,  bo  lived 
and  reproduced." 

Christianity  has  added  fifteen  years  to  the 
average  life  of  the  race.  In  nothing  is  its 
power  more  beneficently  felt  than  in  its  giving 
women  freedom  for  that  physical  culture  that  is 
necessary  to  health. 

It  demands  only  that  in  the  broader  oppor- 
tunity they  be  gentle  and  amiable,  true  to  their 
home-making  instincts,  and  loyal  ever  to  the 
Lord,  who  has  ransomed  them  from  the  galling 
servitude.  Only  in  the  liberty  wherewith 
Christ  makes  free,  can  they  hope  to  come  to 
their  best. 


words  on  this 
as  if  God  liiul 
ibeycd  mo,  sin 
ho  world.  As 
isorder,  solfish- 
u  doliciiloly  for 
ig  you  up  in 
tho  liko,  ciius- 
ing  you  under- 
and  80,  '  in  sor- 
)d  life,  bo  lived 

;i  years  to  tl»e 
nothing  is  its 

an  in  its  giving 
culture  that  is 

broader  oppor- 
le,  true  to  their 
al  ever  to  tlio 
rora  the  galling 
rty  wherewith 
ipe  to  come  to 


CHAPTER    IV. 


HYGIENIO  HINTS. 


I  "WILL  venture  a  few  suggestions  in  regard  to 
health ;  though  this,  liko  most  vital  problems, 
must  be  wrought  out  by  each  individual  adapt- 
ing herself  to  the  conditions  in  which  she  finds 
herself,  and  mastering  them  by  force  of  will  and 
faith. 

You  must  believe  that  you  can  be  well,  and 
set  about  finding  the  laws  of  health  for  yourself. 
If  your  digestion  is  impaired,  do  not  force  your 
stomach  to  dispose  of  great  quantities  of  greasy, 
"heavy,"  doughy  compounds  that  are  spiced 
and  sweetened  to  tempt  the  appetite,  after  you 
have  already  eaten  all  that  is  necessary.  Be- 
ware of  "  the  surplus,"  as  I  heard  the  dessert 
called  the  other  day.  It  is  usually  planned  in 
the  interests  of  dyspepsia ;  and  many  physical 
and  domestic  ills  lie  at  its  door. 


84 


TUB  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


Thero  aro  certuin  simijlo  rules  that  ono  can 
learn  from  observation,  that  can  bo  obeyed 
by  a  little  rigid  self-denial,  and  that  will  save 
from  many  a  sick  headache,  and  keep  one  fit  for 
active  life  days  and  weeks  that  would  otherwise 
liavo  to  be  spent  in  invalidism  with  its  doses  and 
dreariness. 

It  is  said  of  one  of  our  enormo>is  brain-work- 
ers that  he  is  also  a  good  eater,  taking  plenty  of 
simple,  nourishing  food.  His  rule  is  to  tax  his 
digestive  apparatus  only  three  times  a  day.  He 
gives  his  stomach  regular  work,  and  no  extras; 
and  always,  a  half  hour  before  eating,  he  stops 
study,  so  as  to  g.'ve  the  vitality  a  chance  to 
leave  the  brain,  an('.  be  ready  to  attend  to  tak- 
ing care  of  supplies.  After  eating,  he  takes  a 
similar  rest.  Probably  students  fail  more  fre- 
quently at  this  point  than  at  any  other.  In  the 
nervous,  restless  activity  of  crowding  the  mind 
to  required  effort,  they  crave  and  devour  quan- 
tities of  indigestible  trash, — I  cannot  call  it 
food.  The  stomach  of  an  outrich  would  rebel 
against  being  obliged  to  convert  it  into  nutritive 


IAN. 


IIYOIKNIO    HINTS. 


86 


8  that  ono  can 
can  1)0  obeyed 
.  that  will  Have 
keep  ono  fit  for 
voukl  otherwise 
th  its  ilo3CS  and 

ons  brain-worlc- 
;aking  plenty  of 
ule  is  to  tax  his 
imes  a  day.  He 
,  and  no  extras; 
eating,  he  stops 
ty  a  chance  to 
)  attend  to  talc- 
ting,  he  takes  a 
s  fail  more  fre- 
y  other.  In  the 
vvdinfj  the  mind 
ad  devour  quan- 
I  cannot  call  it 
ich  would  rebel 
it  into  nutritive 


nialt(!r,  ortpocially  if  tho  vital  force  were  on  duty 
ill  tho  cninium.  A  grain  or  so  of  common 
HCiiHc,  in  regard  to  the  (luantity  and  quality  of 
what  is  swallowed,  and  the  time  of  its  being 
taken  into  the  stomach,  will  save  from  the  hor- 
rors of  dyspepsia,  those  whoso  digestive  appara- 
tus is  not  hopelessly  diseased. 

I  remember  reading  of  a  student  who  was 
obliged  to  leave  college  on  account  of  inability 
to  digest  his  food.  While  ho  was  away,  lie  was 
cured.  When  ho  came  back,  ho  olTered  to  help 
tho  many  others  who  were  in  similar  trouble. 
Ho  concluded  that  they  would  think  more  of  a 
prescription  that  cost  them  something ;  besides, 
in  the  usual  school  impecuniousness,  money 
would  not  come  amiss ;  so  he  charged  each  five 
dollars,  with  the  condition  of  secrecy.  To  their 
chagrin,  they  found  that  all  there  was  of  it  was 
to  knead  the  stomach  and  abdomen  with  their 
fists  when  there  were  symptoms  of  indigestion. 
If  they  had  but  known  it,  it  was  well  Avorth  the 
five  dollars  to  understand  that  this  little  me- 
clianical  aid  to  enfeebled  digestion,  will  save 
one  from  a  deal  of  suffering. 


80 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


Ilcgulnr  cxcrciso  in  tho  open  air  is  probaMy 
a  better  preventive,  niul  even  remedy;  but 
when  people  are  in  tho  haste  tliat  character- 
izes young  follis,  it  ia  almost  impossible  to 
get  them  to  take  their  •'  constitutional "  regu- 
larly ;  anil  when  they  do,  they  usually  fall  into 
a  listless,  die-away  movement.  Their  thought, 
lounging  about  in  tho  vicinity  of  their  work, 
gets  very  little  actual  rest. 

I  suppose,  to  bo  in  health,  one  ought  every 
day  to  take  exercise  that  will  sot  tho  blood 
scouring  through  the  veins,  clearing  them  out, 
and  making  every  cell  of  tho  lungs  stretch  itself 
to  get  its  quota  of  oxygen.  Girls  are  sometimes 
cheated  out  of  their  vitality  by  the  proprieties 
that  keep  them  on  short  rations  of  fresh  air  and 
vigorous  exercise. 

This  mischief  usually  begins  back  near  the 
cradle  ;  and  it  strikes  root  in  a  mistaken  under- 
standing of  the  purj)080  of  the  child's  life.  The 
boy  is  trained  to  do,  and  his  sister  to  be  looked 
at.  Everything  is  done  to  develop  in  him 
strong,  energetic,    independent    individuality ; 


-.■•.:'-'    II I  'imm 


AN. 


UYfJIKNIO   HINTS. 


87 


,ir  is  probiiMy 
remedy ;  hut 
hat  cluiriieter- 
iinpossiblo  to 
utioual"  rcgu- 
jually  fall  into 
riicir  thought, 
of  their  work, 

e  ought  every 
sot  the  blood 
iiig  them  out, 
fs  stretch  itself 
i  are  sometimes 
the  proprieties 
if  fresh  air  and 

back  near  the 
istaken  under- 
Id'slife.  The 
sr  to  be  looked 
velop  in  him 
individuality ; 


and  in  her,  softness  and  roundness,  nirinctjs  and 
lludiiipss,  self-consciousness  ami  vanity.  Ho  in 
(liiwsod  in  blue  or  gray  Ihinuel,  that  can  stand 
tuinl>ling  and  dirt;  and  every  time  ho  gets  on  u 
little,  in  u  muscular  way,  ho  is  applauded  and 
encouraged.  She  must  wear  n  flimsy,  white 
muslin,  that  is  kei)t  presentablo  only  by  starch 
and  caution.  It  has  three  frills  and  u  bow,  and 
its  "doing  up"  costs  no  end  of  work,  —  very 
l)retty  for  exhibition,  to  be  kept  on  a  lay  figure, 
or  under  glass;  but  not  the  thing  at  all  in 
which  an  active,  growing,  little  human,  can  exor- 
cise arms  and  legs,- so  as  to  develop  strength. 
Mother,  nurse,  or  somebody,  must  follow  the 
child  about,  i)orpotually  swinging,  over  the 
poor  little  head  '  he  switch  of  warning,  "  Be 
careful,  now ;  you'll  soil  your  dress,  and  then 
you'll  look  like  a  fright  I" 

Talk  aboil  women  being  vain,  and  fond  of 
dress!  It  is  the  Alpha  and  Omega  of  their 
training  \u  their  most  susceptible  years,  un- 
less a  specially  wise  mother,  or  what  is 
known   as  "hard  circumstances,"  interfere   to 


88 


THE   POrENTIAL  WOMAN. 


give  them  a  chance  to  come  up  simply  and  nat- 
urally. 

In  heathen  countries  the  matter  is  not 
glossed  over  at  all.  It  comes  out  in  its  bald 
ugliness.  The  girl  is  the  property  of  her 
father  or  brother;  her  personal  charms  consti- 
tute her  chief  value;  they  must  be  preserved 
and  enhanced  at  all  costs,  whether  by  the  foot- 
torturing  process,  as  in  China,  the  shutting  her 
up  to  greasy  edibles  for  fattening,  as  in  North 
Africa,  or  the  cramping  of  her  mind  to  the 
verge  of  inanity,  as  in  India.  She  is  brought 
up  simply  for  the  market.  A  worldly  type  of 
Christianity,  that  teaches  a  girl  from  her  baby- 
hood that  there  is  nothing  for  her  but  to  be 
sweet  and  pretty,  so  that  she  can  get  a  good 
husband,  is  not  many  degrees  above  paganism. 
In  the  light  from  an  open  Bible,  it  is  far  more 
reprehensible.  Sweet  ?  To  be  sure  you  ought 
to  be  sweet;  and  so  ought  your  brothers. 
There  is  no  sex  in  moral  qualities.  Sweetness 
and  gentleness  are  not  incompatible  with 
strength.     On  the  contrary,  one  can  afford  to 


m 


iMAN. 

simply  and  nat- 

matter  is  not 
1  out  in  its  bald 
)ropcrty  of  her 
1  charms  consti- 
ist  be  preserved 
her  by  the  foot- 
Lhe  shutting  her 
ng,  as  in  North 
3r   mind   to  the 

She  is  brought 
worldly  type  of 

from  her  baby- 
i'  her  but  to  be 
can  get  a  good 
above  paganism, 
.e,  it  is  far  more 

sure  you  ought 

your  brothers, 
ties.  Sweetness 
ompatible  with 
le  can  afford  to 


«■ 


HYGIENIC   HINTS. 


89 


b3  sweet  and  gentle  always,  who  knows  that 
she  has  the  ability  to  "hold  her  own."  The 
scolding,  fretting  woman,  whose  fde  of  a 
tongue  would  drive  the  wise  man  to  live  on  the 
housetop,  is  often  made  what  she  is  by  her  in- 
ability to  cope  with  difficult  circumstances. 

Xantippe  has  always  had  my  sympathy 
Socrates  married  her,  no  doubt,  from  an  intui- 
tion that  she  had  the  strength  that  would  make 
her  a  fit  mate  for  a  man  of  thought ;  but  he 
fell  into  his  queer,  inconsiderate,  impracticable 
ways,  and  left  her  to  take  care  of  the  family, 
while  he  was  as  indifferent  as  a  bird  of  the  air, 
whether  or  not  there  was  an  obolus  to  pay  the 
bread  bill.  His  heathenish  opinion  of  a  woman 
crops  out  in  that  wonderful  death  scene  that 
Plato  gives  in  Phsedo.  Socrates  dismisses  the 
women  summarily,  because  he  wants  to  die  in 
peace.  After  making  due  allowance  for  Greek 
domestic  wrong-doing,  we  can  but  conclude 
that  a  woman  who  was  sent  away  from  her  hus- 
band's death-bed  in  that  heartless  way,  had  had 
enough  to  put  up  with  during  his  life.    If 


^'3|^|gB| 


40 


THE  POTENTIAL   WOMAN. 


she  had  had  something  to  do  by  which  she  could 
easily  have  supported  the  household,  very  likely 
she  would  have  left  him  undisturbed  in  his 
wool-gathering,  and,  no  doubt,  she  would  have 
come  down  to  us  as  a  most  notably  useful  wife. 
But  to  come  back  to  our  American  girls. 
The  daintiest  of  them  have  to  breathe,  as  cer- 
tainly as  do  pugilists  and  oxen ;  and  usually, 
in  each  case,  the  amoimt  of  vigor  depends 
upon  the  depth  of  the  breathing.  Vocal  train- 
ers have  come  to  understand  that ;  they  have 
learned  that  "  a  good  voice  "  is  not  a  special 
endowment  to  which  one  is  born,  like  the  color 
of  his  eyes,  and  the  lack  of  which  ho  cannot 
hope  to  make  up,  any  more  than  he  can  change 
the  tint  of  the  iris.  Voice  has  been  found  to 
be  a  result  of  the  action  of  so  much  well-fed, 
well-drilled  muscle ;  and  if  one  would  keep  it 
in  strength,  he  must  not  only  attend  to  his 
general  health,  and  have  every  muscle  at  its 
best,  but  he  must  plan  systematically  for  the 
taking  in  of  large  quantities  of  oxygen,  to  be 
used  in  the  maniifacture  of  vitality.    A  star 


MAN. 


HYGIENIC  HINTS. 


41 


which  she  could 
liold,  very  likely 
listurbed  in  his 
she  would  have 
ibly  useful  wife. 
American  girls. 

breathe,  as  cer- 
u;  and  usually, 

vigor  depends 
J.  Vocal  train- 
that  ;  they  hiive 
is  not  a  special 
n,  like  the  color 
hich  ho  cannot 
n  he  can  change 
s  been  found  to 

much  well-fed, 
)  would  keep  it 
(T  attend  to  his 
y  muscle  at  its 
atically  for  the 
f  oxygen, to  be 
itality.    A  star 


actor  who  expects  to  turn  the  heads  of  theatre- 
goers with  the  utterance  of  one  sentence,  pre- 
pares himself  by  daily  gymnastic  drill,  giving 
as  much  time  to  the  exercise  of  his  feet  and 
knees  as  if  he  expected  to  declaim  with  them. 
When  he  sent  forth  that  cry  of  anguish  that 
rang  in  the  memory  of  the  thousands  who 
heard  it,  as  an  embodiment  of  human  agony, 
every  muscle  in  his  body  was  called  into  exer- 
cise. It  represented  weeks  of  athletic  drill. 
If  one  muscle  had  been  flabby  and  unreliable, 
by  just  so  much  the  effort  would  have  been  a 
failure. 

Vocal  trainers  are  coming  to  lay  larger  stress 
on  the  development  and  management  of  the 
muscles  with  which  we  breathe.  Learn  to 
breathe  well,  and  you  will  have  strength  for 
what  you  need  to  do.  I  am  not  sure  but  the 
art  of  breathing  will  come  j'^et  to  have  a  place 
in  the  curriculum  of  every  school. 

How  shall  you  breathe?  Fill  your  lungs. 
Lungs  take  room.  You  crowd  them  at  your 
peril.    They  are  easily  compressed;  and  they 


42 


THE  POTENTIAL   WOMAN. 


clog  and  decay  easily,  also.  But  slender  waists 
are  admired,  and  we  must  be  slender,  if  wo  die 
for  it,  since  being  admired  is  the  mmmum 
lonunu  Never  mind  the  lungs.  What  if  you 
do  make  your  life  a  peri)etual  weariness?  You 
can  brace  up  against  that.  What  if  Mother 
Earth  does  have  to  turn  back  lier  green  cover- 
let, and  let  you  creej)  into  a  grave  years  before 
you  were  meant  to  wear  out  ?  You  must  bo 
slender  and  delicate,  at  all  costs. 

No,  no  1     Make  up  your  mind  to  give  your 
lungs  plenty  of  room.     Get  your  shoulders  out 
of  the  way.     Hold  your  vertebral  column-per- 
pendicular, and  then  use,  iu  your  breathing, 
the  muscles    just  below  the    diaphragm.     If 
your  shoulders  are  moved  up  and  down  with 
each  breath,  you  may  be  sure    you  are  not 
breathing  aright.    The  motion  of  each  inspira- 
tion and  expiration  should  be  below  the  pit  of 
the    stomach.      Every    deep,    full,    sustained 
breath,  adds  just  so  much  to  your  power  to 
endure  the  strain  of  hard  work  that  is  neces- 
sary to  excellence  iu  whatever  you  undertake, 


liriiT'T "  ''"i-^mamimmmmm 


MAN. 

t  slender  waists 
L'luler,  if  wo  die 
i  llie    summum 

What  if  you 
eaiiness  ?  You 
^'hat  if  Mother 
er  green  cover- 
ve  years  before 

You  must  be 

(1  to  give  your 
r  shoulders  out 
al  column- per- 
our  breathing, 
iiaphragm.     If 
nd  down  with 
you  are  not 
if  each  inspira- 
3I0W  the  pit  of 
ull,    sustained 
our  power  to 
that  is  neces- 
ou  undertake, 


HYGIENIC    HINTS. 


48 


and  that  is  sure  to  come  to  you  sooner  or  later, 
if  you  amount  to  anything  in  any  line. 

In  this  work  of  keeping  one's  self  in  health, 
perhaps  wc  can  give  no  better  advice  han  that 
of  Dr.  Abernethy,  an  old  English  court  phy- 
sician of  great  skill  and  influence.  After  his 
death,  there  was  found  among  his  effects  a  tin 
box,  that  was  supposed  to  hold  the  most  valu- 
able part  of  his  bequests.  It  was  opened  with 
great  care.  It  contained  only  a  scrap  of  paper, 
on  which  was  written :  "  Head  cool,  feet  warm, 
digestion  clear,  starve  the  doctors."  In  order 
to  keep  the  "  head  cool,"  it  is  necessary  for  the 
blood  to  circulate  properly.  It  must  be  in  the 
veins  and  arteries,  about  its  business,  keeping 
the  scavenger  work  well  done,  and  due  vitality 
distributed  to  every  part,  rather  than  rushing 
into  the  brain,  to  endanger  the  blood-vessels 
there,  drive  the  nerves  wild,  and  bewilder  the 
mind. 

Suitable  exercise  is  a  great  help  toward  keep- 
ing the  blood  where  it  belongs.  I  remember 
the  horrible  sensations  that  came  over  me  the 


44 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


first  time  I  found  myself  fairly  out  upon  the 
long  Atlantic  swells.  My  head  seemed  to  be 
turning  into  a  ball  of  fire,  my  feet  into  lumps 
of  ice,  and  my  stomach,  —  my  pen  draws  back 
from  an  attempt  at  description.  I  fastened  my 
eyes  upon  my  book,  as  one  by  one  the  passen- 
gers fled  below,  some  of  them  not  to  appear 
again  for  days.  The  more  susceptible  could 
not  even  get  down-stairs,  but  were  stretched 
here  and  there  in  their  steamer-chairs,  in  all 
stages  of  the  indescribable  agony.  The  impulse 
of  self-preservation  roused  ray  will  to  its  utmost 
tension,  and  riveted  my  eyes  upon  the  book. 
I  read  one  page  twenty  times,  more  or  less, 
without  having  the  most  remote  idea  of  what 
the  author  was  driving  at.  Just  as  I  was  about 
to  succumb,  and  give  up  the  battle  as  lost,  1 
noticed  a  merry,  little  cricket  of  a  girl,  who 
was  skipping  about  as  unconcerned  as  one  of 
Mother  Carey's  chickens.  I  touched  her  arm, 
as  she  flitted  by  with  a  glass  of  ice-water  for 
one  of  the  tormented.  "Tell  me,  please,"  I 
moaned,  huskily,  "how  you  manage  to  keep 


amf' 


^^^ 


MAN. 

'  out  upon  the 
J  seemed  to  be 
feet  into  lumps 
pen  draws  back 

I  fastened  my 
ine  the  passen- 

not  to  appear 
isceptible  could 

were  stretched 
er-chairs,  in  all 
jT.  The  impulse 
ill  to  its  utmost 
upon  the  book. 
3,  more  or  less, 
te  idea  of  what 
t  as  I  was  about 
battle  as  lost,  1 
of  a  girl,  who 
smed  as  one  of 
)uched  her  arm, 
of  ice-water  for 

me,  please,"  I 
nanage  to  keep 


HYGIENIC  HINTS. 


46 


up."  —  "  Oh,  I  don't  know.  I  just  keep  in  mo- 
tion, and  don't  think  about  it."  I  caught  her 
little  secret.  A  few  rousing  turns  on  the 
promenade  deck,  and  the  blood  was  out  of  my 
head,  and  back  in  my  feet,  and  wherever  else 
it  belonged. 

Why  is  not  this  a  good  remedy  for  faulty 
circulation  on  land  as  well  as  at  sea.  —  suitable 
motion,  and  a  proper  management  of  the 
thinking  ? 

I  have  heard  of  a  Jesuit  college  where  the 
rule  is  for  every  student  to  stop  work  once  in 
two  hours,  and  swing  his  chair  around  his  head 
a  given  number  of  times. 

Every  movement  of  a  muscle  destroys  a  cer- 
tain amount  of  tissue,  and  the  blood  has  to 
rush  to  the  rescue  with  new  material,  making 
good  the  waste.  Exercise  keeps  it  busy,  so 
that  it  cannot  clog  and  Loiter,  leaving  worn-out 
matter  to  poison  this  or  that  vital  organ. 

Every  one  whose  htabits  are  sedentary,  ought 
to  go  through  a  set  of  gymnastics  every  morn- 
ing, after  taking  the  bath  and  using  the  flesh- 


!^^%-!M^Sa^£^^-itj-^^^.i*'f^-^:,'iik<^^^S0S-%^^^^ 


m 


46 


TUB  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


brush,  —  exercise  tliiit  will  set  the  blood  at 
work  ill  earnest.  It  is  easy  enough.  You 
need  not  lumber  your  bedroom  with  gymna- 
sium apparatus,  unless  you  choose  to  do  so. 
You  can  raise  yourself  on  your  toes,  a  given 
number  of  times,  and  bend  your  knees,  and 
twist  your  body  this  way  and  that,  and  swing 
your  arms.  Any  hand-book  of  gymnastics  will 
tell  you  how  to  be  regular  and  systematic 
aboiit  it.  It  takes  but  little  time.  You  will 
lose  as  much  in  one  attack  of  sick  headache  as 
you  need  for  your  house  gymnastics  in  two 
months. 

During  the  day,  when  your  feet  and  hands 
are  beginning  to  grow  cold,  and  your  brain 
dull  and  muddy,  it  will  freshen  you,  and  you 
will  get  on  enough  faster  to  pay  for  the  trouble, 
if  you  will  stop  and  go  through  five  minutes  of 
exercise.  Of  course  you  will  find  that  you 
cannot  compress  your  chest  after  the  wasp-waist 
pattern,  .xor  hang  your  clothing  in  masses  upon 
your  hips,  if  you  are  to  follow  this  regimen. 
Your  garments  must  be  so  made  and  suspended 


MAN. 

t  tlio  blood  at 
enough.  You 
in  with  gymna- 
oose  to  do  80. 
ir  toes,  a  given 
our  knees,  and 
hat,  and  swing 
gymnastics  will 
and  systematic 
imc.  You  will 
ick  licadache  as 
iinastics  in  two 

feet  and  hands 

md  your  brain 

1  you,  and  you 

for  the  trouble, 

five  minutes  of 

find  that  you 

r  the  wasp-waist 

in  masses  upon 

f   this  regimen. 

!  and  suspended 


llYOnCNIO   HINTS. 


47 


that  when  you  raise  your  slioulders  the  whcde 
weight  is  lifted.  You  do  not  need  much  physi- 
ological, knowledge  to  know  that  tliat  style  of 
dress  is  absolutely  necessary  to  health.  When 
it  comes  to  a  choice  between  a  fine,  strong, 
robust,  vigorous  phi/siquc,  making  it  a  joy  to 
be  alive,  and  dainty,  delicate,  and  clinging 
helplessness,  making  you  a  burden  to  yourself 
and  your  friends,  your  common  sense  ought  to 
settle  the  matter. 

Some  one  has  intimated  that  tight  lacing  is  a 
public  benefaction,  because  it  kills  off  the  silly 
women,  and  leaves  the  sensible  ones  for  the 
work  of  life  ;  but  the  worst  of  it  is,  it  does  not 
kill  them  outright.  It  dooms  them  to  a  living 
death ;  and  leaves  them  on  somebody's  hands 
for  support.  If  there  could  be  an  elegant, 
well-appointed  funeral,  that  would  end  the 
misery,  it  would  not  be  so  serious  a  matter  as 
it  is. 

In  Greek  lands,  and  in  the  time  in  which 
Paul  wrote,  the  woman  was  under  heathenish 
disabilities,  that  made  her  the  "weaker  vessjjl." 


IP 


B^^ 


48 


TIIR  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


Christianity  could  not  cniiincipato  her  from 
tliem  all  at  once,  any  nioro  than  it  could  set 
free  the  slaves,  or  abolish  the  drinking  customs. 
Eighteen  Christian  centuries  have  brought  us  a 
great  way  from  the  barbarisms  of  the  polished 
Greeks.  Let  not  women  professing  godliness 
lean  backward  toward  those  paganish  days,  by 
clioosing  delicacy,  instead  of  strength.  Extra- 
ordinaries  excepted,  you  may  have  good  health, 
if  you  will  live  by  hygienic  law.  As  most 
women  dress,  if  they  have  even  passable  health, 
it  is  owing  to  a  miracle  of  endurance.  The 
animal  has  not  yet  been  made  that  could  be 
well,  if  its  breathing  apparatus  were  com- 
pressed into  the  smallest  possible  compass  by 
boards  of  whalebone  and  steel  lashed  down 
with  ropes,  while  heavy  masses  of  woollen  and 
cotton  goods  were  hung  upon  that  part  of  the 
body  that  was  least  able  to  carry  the  weight. 

In  heeding  our  old  doctor's  advice,  you  must 
not  neglect  the  clothing  of  your  feet.  The  feet 
have  been  called  a  gateway  through  which 
diseases  enter.    Men  do  not  trust  their  feet  on 


tAX. 

lato  her  from 
m  it  could  set 
iildiig  customs. 
0  brought  us  a 
f  the  polished 
isiug  godliness 
tnnish  days,  by 
cngth.  Extra- 
re  good  health, 
iw.  As  most 
assable  health, 
durance.  The 
that  could  be 
us  were  com- 
ic compass  by 
lashed  down 
)f  woollen  and 
liat  part  of  the 
the  weight, 
vice,  you  must 
'eet.  The  feet 
hrough  which 
t  their  feet  on 


IIYOIENIO  HINTS. 


49 


the  damp  ground  without  a  good  half-inch  of 
sole-leather  between  them  and  danger.  But 
a  sylph-like  tread  is  a  jirimo  feminino  charm, 
an<l  calf-skin  bootees  arc  qxiito  incompatible 
with  fairy  footstej)s;  so  you  decide  in  favor  of 
paper  soles,  soro  throats,  and  elegant  tomb- 
stones. 

The  development  and  strength  of  your  mus- 
cle and  nerve  are  as  certainly  according  to  law 
as  are  those  of  your  brother.  If  you  live  as 
simply  and  as  naturally  as  he  does,  you  may  be 
well  'vud  strong,  as  surely  as  ho.  Harriet  lios- 
mer,  our  American  sculptress,  is  an  illustration 
in  point.  Her  father,  a  New-England  physi- 
cian, had  lost,  by  consumption,  all  his  family 
but  this  one  daughter.  He  detected  pulmo- 
narj'  disease  in  her  before  she  was  nine  years 
old.  He  determined  to  save  her,  if  possible; 
so  ho  taught  her  to  run  and  row,  to  climb  and 
swim,  to  fish  and  hunt,  and  to  do  all  the  other 
things  by  which  boys  make  muscle.  Ho  devel- 
oped in  her  strength  for  hard  study,  and  nerve 
to  overcome  the  difficulties  that  lay  in  her  way. 


?^^S^^i@S^ 


'ilSSf9'f.„ 


60 


THE  POTENTIAL   WOMAN. 


In  thoso  drtik  (lay8,  medical  colleges  were  shut 
against  women.  She  went  from  one  to  another 
to  get  admission  to  the  lectures  on  anatomy, 
that  were  necessary  to  her  success  in  sculpture. 
At  last  she  was  admitted  to  a  St.  Louis  college ; 
but  the  Btuaents,  in  their  coarse  selfishness, 
determined  to  drive  her  away.  She  went  to  u 
shooting-gallery  and  practiced  till  she  became  a 
dead  shot.  Then,  with  lier  pistol  in  her  belt, 
she  went  back  to  her  lectures;  and  the  chival- 
rous young  gentlemen  concluded  to  let  her 
alone.  Not  altogether  Christian,  possibly,  this 
method  of  self-defence,  yet  it  proved  effectual. 
Her  father's  training  not  only  saved  her  life, 
but  it  gave  her  courage  for  the  unusual  role  she 
had  chosen.  During  her  early  years  in  Rome, 
brigands  were  plentiful  and  desperate  upon  the 
Campagna ;  and  yet,  in  spite  of  the  protests  of 
the  American  Minister,  she  used  to  take  her 
health-gallops  outside  the  walls  without  guard 
or  escort. 

Galen  called  occupation  "  a  prime  remedy." 
I  believe  nothing  is  more  certainly  conducive  to 


MAN. 


HYOIENIO   HINTS. 


61 


leges  were  Bhut 
I  Olio  to  another 
B8  on  anatomy, 
am  in  Bculpturo. 
t.  Louis  college ; 
arso  selfishness, 
She  went  to  a 
ill  she  became  u 
stol  in  her  belt, 
and  the  chival- 
detl  to  let  her 
,11,  possibly,  this 
)roved  effectual. 
•  saved  her  life, 
unusual  role  she 
r  years  in  Rome, 
iperate  upon  the 
f  the  protests  of 
.sod  to  take  her 
s  without  guard 

prime  remedy." 
nly  conducive  to 


health  than  to  have  something  to  do  that  is 
worth  the  doing. 

Among  the  mild  magazine  stories  over  which 
1  wasted  my  time  in  childhood,  I  remember  one 
about  a  rich  young  widow,  who  was  not  called 
to  anything  in  particular,  and  who  had  neither 
tlie  common  sense  nor  the  grace  to  make  for 
herself  an  avocation,  and  who,  conseciuently, 
was  dying  by  inches  of  ennui.  It  seems  she 
went  to  her  cousin,  a  wise  old  doctor,  for  a  pre- 
scription, and  ho  ordered  a  certain  root  that 
grew  in  his  garden,  but  which  ho  had  not  time 
then  to  hunt  up.  Could  not  John  find  it? 
Indeed  not ;  it  would  never  do  to  turn  John 
loose  in  that  choice  corner  of  the  garden. 
There  was  a  description  of  it  in  that  Botany. 
She  might  go  out  and  hunt  for  it;  but  no  one 
else  could  be  trusted  there.  That  fallacy,  with 
an  occasional  variation,  was  kept  up  till  she 
found  that  digging  in  the  ground  in  tho  fresh 
air  was  the  real  root  of  healing,  for  which  he 
was  making  her  hunt. 

While  many  women  become  invalids,  and  die 


-j^.'(i»)'>;„,*»-    " 


-~x- 


52 


THE   POTENTIAL  WO^LA.N. 


from  faulty  dressing  or  overwork,  there  are  not 
a  few  who  sink  into  valetudinarianism  because, 
like  Fanny  Dombey,  they  will  not  "  make  an 
effort." 

If  you  want  to  be  well  and  strong,  it  v/ill 
help  you  more  than  you  can  now  understand, 
to  decide  to  do  something  worth  the  doing; 
prepare  yourself  to  do  it  well,  and  then  do  it 
"heartily  as  unto  the  Lord."  He  did  not 
mean  you  to  be  simply  an  ornamental  append- 
age of  the  family  or  community  to  which  you 
belong,  —  a  sort  of  sentient,  lay  figure,  on 
which  to  hang  pretty  looks,  graceful  manners, 
and  fine  clothing,  for  a  few  years,  and  then  to 
fade  into  the  background  out  of  the  way  of 
other  similar  lay  figures  that  "  must  have  their 
day."  He  has  grand,  noble  wor];  for  you  to  do, 
that  no  other  can  touch,  and  that  must  remain 
unwrought  forever,  unless  you  take  it  in  hand. 
He  has  not  laid  you  under  a  six-thousand-year- 
old  curse,  pre-dooming  you  to  physical  incom- 
petency. He  wantij  you  to  enjoy  and  grow,  to 
work  and  succeed.     Consecrate  your  body  to 


)MAN. 


HYGIENIC  HINTS. 


53 


nk,  there  are  not 
[.rianism  because, 
11  not  "make  an 

id  strong,  it  v/ill 
now  understand, 
orth  the  doing; 
1,  and  then  do  it 
"  He  did  not 
amental  append- 
ity  to  which  you 
lay  figure,  on 
;raceful  manners, 
sars,  and  then  to 
t  of  the   way  of 

must  have  their 
r] .  for  you  to  do, 
hat  must  remain 

take  it  in  hand, 
x-thousund-ycar- 

physical  incum- 
joy  and  grow,  to 
e   your  body  to 


Him,  all  its  powers  to  be  used  not  in  pleasing 
the  world,  yourself,  or  your  friends,  but  th< 
Lord  who  bought  you,  and  to  get  this  sorrow- 
ful race  back  into  His  sunlight.  Take  the  best 
care  of  it  for  His  sake,  and  then  trust  Him  to 
do  the  best  possible  by  that  which  you  have 
committed  to  Him.  Thus  may  you  have  free, 
glad,  abounding  health,  for  He  says,  "I  am  the 
Lord  that  healeth  thee." 


CHAPTER   V. 


IN  BOOKS. 


Like  the  peri  outside  the  gates  of  Paradise, 
woman  has  long  stood  before  the  blessed,  beau- 
tiful book-world,  hedged  from  its  glories,  for- 
bidden to  sip  its  ambrosia,  or  take  deep 
draughts  of  its  soul-strengthening  waters.  The 
wisest  and  most  thoughtful  have  believed  her 
born  under  ban,  prenatally  doomed  to  a  subject 
life,  and  they  have  feared  lest  mental  culture 
would  unfit  her  for  the  drties  of  her  lowly,  lim- 
ited sphere,  or  make  her  discontented  with  her 
lot. 

As  late  as  the  sixteenth  century,  Francoise  de 
Saintoigne  attempted  to  establish  girls'  schools 
in  France ;  and  she  was  hooted  at  in  the  streets. 
Her  father  called  in  four  doctors,  learned  in  the 
law,  to  investigate  her  case,  and  decide  whether 
or  not  she  was  possessed  by  demons  that  moved 
her  to  such  a  hopeless  and  impious  task  as  try- 
ing to  teach  girls  to  read  1 

54 


IN  B00K8. 


66 


38  of  Paradise, 
!  blessed,  beau- 
ts glories,  for- 
or  take  deep 
f  waters.  The 
e  believed  her 
ed  to  a  subject 
nental  culture 
her  lowly,  lim- 
mted  with  her 

y,  Francoise  de 
1  girls'  schools 
;  in  the  streets, 
learned  in  the 
lecide  whether 
ns  that  moved 
IS  task  as  try- 


Ti 


About  a  century  ago.  Dean  Swift  published 
"A  Letter  to  a  Young  Lady  on  her  Marriage." 
It  was  received  without  dissent,  as  nearly  aa  I 
can  iind.    Indeed,  I  think  it  was  looked  upon 
as  an  excellent  bit  of  advice  to  a  young  gentle- 
woman.   It  certainly  was  in  harmony  with  the 
spirit  of  the  times.    He  says:  "  It  is  hard  that 
not  one  gentleman's  daughter  in  a  thousand 
should  be  brought  to  read  or  understand  her 
own  natural  tongue ;  but  it  is  no  wonder,  when 
y  are  not  so  much  as  taught  to  spell  in  their 
r  )od,  nor  can  they  attain  to  it  in  their 
.,:.o^e  lives.    I  know  very  well  that  those  who 
are  commonly  called  learned  women,  have  lost 
all  manner  of  credit  by  their  impertinent  talkar 
tiveness.    But  there  is  an  easy  remedy  for  this, 
if  you  once  consider  that  after  all  the  pains  you 
may  be  at,  you  never  can  rise,  in  point  of  learn- 
ing, to  the  perfection  of  a  school-boy.    Your  sex 
give  more  thought  and  application  to  be  fools, 
than  to  be  wise  and  useful.    When  I  reflect  on 
this,  I  cannot  conceive  you  to  be  human  crea- 
tures, but  a  certain  sort  of  species,  hardly  a  de- 


ma- 


56 


THIS  POTENTIAL  WO]MAN. 


gree  above  a  monkey,  wlio  has  more  diverting 
tricks  than  any  of  you,  is  an  animal  loss  mis- 
chievous and  exi)ensive,  might,  in  time,  be  a 
tolerable  critic  of  velvet  and  brocade,  and,  for 
aught  I  know,  would  equally  become  them." 

It  was  not  because  parents  were  unjust  and 
cynical,  that  they  held  their  daughters  back 
from  education.  The  majority,  like  the  father 
of  Mary  Somerville,  believed  it  dangerous  to 
permit  the  scraggy,  mathematical  quantities  to 
«nter  the  soft  convolutions  of  a  woman's  brain. 
That  good  man  forbade  the  servants  to  let  Miss 
Mary  have  candles  in  the  evening,  by  which 
she  could  see  to  read  her  text-books,  because  he 
was  sure  that,  if  so  indulged,  she  would  study 
herself  into  insanity. 

The  friends  of  Lydia  Maria  Child  were  so 
afraid  that  she  would  disgrace  them,  by  acquir- 
mg  coarse,  masculine  airs,  if  permitted  to  be- 
come bookish,  that  they  obliged  her  to  write 
over  a  non  de  plume.  The  notoriety  of  having 
her  name  appear  in  the  public  prints,  as  the  au- 
thor of  books,  would  certainly  rob  her,  they 


IAN. 


IN  BOOKS. 


67 


more  diverting 
limal  loss  mis- 
in  time,  bo  a 
ocade,  and,  for 
orae  them." 
!re  unjust  and 
lughters  back 
ike  the  fatLor 
dangerous  to 
quantities  to 
soman's  brain, 
nts  to  let  Miss 
ing,  by  which 
ks,  because  he 
)  would  study 

Child  were  so 
3m,  by  acquir- 
•mitted  to  be- 
her  to  write 
ety  of  having 
nts,  as  the  au- 
rob  her,  they 


\ 


idi^j^i^iiSi^X^SSS^ 


thought,  of  that  fine,  sweet  grace,  ko  charming 
in  a  woman,  and  that  gives  the  last  delicate, 
priceless  touch  to  the  comfort  and  happiness  of 
the  home. 

Every  girl  who  reads  this  ought  to  stop  just 
here,  and  thank  God  that  the  light  of  Christ's 
blessed  evangel  is  scattering  this  darkness. 
The  wise  and  thoughtful  are  coming  to  know 
that  God  has  given  women  mental  powers  that 
demand  opportunity  and  scope,  and  that  are 
needed  in  His  service. 

If  the  premise  had  been  true,  that  education 
would  make  women  disagreeable,  rough,  and  self- 
asserting,  the  conclusion  at  which  those  earlier 
good  people  arrived,  might  have  been  correct,  and 
their  caution  necessary.  When  French  think- 
ers, under  the  new  regime,  proposed  to  do  some- 
thing towards  giving  girls  a  better  knowledge 
of  books,  Romish  priests  and  bishops  protested 
energetically.  "If  you  fill  the  heads  of  the 
women  with  history,  literature,  and  philosophy, 
there  will  be  an  end  of  religion.  They  are  now 
our  main  dependence  in  church  services.    Men 


-:TBaWHi®SK«igK«l^«s^S«»»-«^»®isaKSSi45a  mmu 


&>?=;■ 'iA\J^5^' 


■•■  •'MWtlW^lSS.'ffi&IlUu- 


68 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


never  go  to  tlie  confessional.  We  must  keep 
the  women  where  we  can  manage  them,  or  our 
churches  will  be  empty."  Their  plan  seems  to 
have  been  to  have  the  girls  sent  to  convent 
schools,  where  they  would  be  given  a  smatter- 
ing of  some  polite  language,  a  little  music,  a  few 
petty  accomplishments,  and  graceful  manners, 
and  where  their  hearts  would  be  kept  whole 
and  safe  for  the  matrimonial  market;  then, 
when  they  were  "finished,"  and  sent  out  with 
the  "society"  trade-mark  on  them,  they  might 
go  to  the  highest  bidder,  who  would  give  them 

all  but  the  one  thing  a  true  woman  must  have, 

genuine  respect  and  love.  The  priests,  mean- 
while, would  manipulate  the  affairs  of  rich, 
dominant  families,  instituted  in  that  way, 
through  the  weakness  and  superstition  of  wo- 
men held  loyal  to  the  confessional.  No  wonder 
they  raised  an  outcry  against  the  liberal  educa- 
tion of  girls.  The  men  of  India  put  the  same 
thing  more  baldly  when  they  say,  "  It  is  all  we 
can  do  to  live  with  our  wives,  and  horsewhip 
them  once  a  week.    If  they  were  tjiught  to 


IAN. 

We  must  keep 
a  them,  or  our 

plan  seems  to 
nt  to   convent 
ven  a  smatter- 
le  music,  a  few 
ceful  manners, 
be  kept  whole 
narkot ;    then, 
sent  out  with 
m,  they  might 
nld  give  tliera 
must  have, — 
priests,  mean- 
ffairs  of  rich, 
in    that    way, 
stition  of  wo- 
.    No  wonder 
liberal  educa- 
put  the  same 

"  It  is  all  we 
nd  horsewhip 
ive  tjiught  to 


IN  BOOKS. 


69 


read,  they  would  be  so  puffed  up,  they  would 
drive  us  out  of  *^'.ie  house." 

The  shadov      A  heathenism  still  bar'' 

over  some  Christian  ho  .  .^,  where  the  daugb 
ters  are  made  to  pass  through  the  fire  to  the 
l^oloch  of  fashion,  where  "  strong-mindedness," 
which  is  supposed  to  come  from  familiarity  with 
books,  is  dreaded  far  more  than  incompetency, 
or  sin,  because,  forsooth,  it  is  incompatible  with 
the  glosses  of  "  society." 

The  only  remedy  for  this  is  found  in  Christ's 
love  and  light.  Let  parents  and  daughters, 
teachers  and  pupils,  become  imbued  with  a  sense 
of  the  world's  need,  and  learn  that  womanly 
strength  and  tact  are  needed  for  the  ameliora- 
tion of  its  sorrows.  Let  all  bring  their  choicest 
treasures,  and  lay  them  at  Christ's  feet,  and  they 
will  soon  come  to  see  that  they  must  make  the 
most  of  each,  man  or  woman,  for  His  sake,  and 
to  help  on  His  cause. 

I  know  a  woman  who,  in  her  childhood,  hun- 
gered for  books,  as  few  persons  ever  do.  I  re- 
member seeing  her,  in  her  backwoods  home, 


'^r.i^'iiui^^^i-iiaStii^iiraHSiif.t 


60 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


lugging    about    a    small     turkey,    while    slie 
"watched  the  gap,"  througli  whicli  her  father 
drove   his  wagon-load  of  sheaves  during  tlio 
harvest.    Some    books  of    natural  history,  of 
such  sterile  Latinity  that  I  doubt  if  they  ever 
had  place  in  any  curriculum,  had  drifted  into  the 
cabin,  and  this  wee  starveling  moused  through 
them  till  she  could  string  the  scientific  terms  all 
over  her  turkey,  fancying  that,  by  that  "analy- 
sis,"  she  was  learning  something.    Then  she 
would  lay  the  "big  Bible"  on  a  chair,  and 
wonder  her  way  through  the  Levitical  law.    In 
an  old  volume   from  John  Wesley's  pen,  she 
would  study  how  to  make  an  earthquake,  or 
she  would  hide  away  from  the  other  children  to 
dream  over  the  old  Spectator,  with  its  queer 
gossip  about  the  beaux  and  belles  of  Queen 
Anne's  day.    Very  little  effort  was  made  to  ed- 
ucate her.    «0h,  she'll  pick  up  enough  to  do 
her  I"  they  said.    "We  must  give  the  boys  a 
chance ;  they'll  make  their  mark  in  the  world 
yet.    There  may  be  a  United  States  senator,  or 
a  president  among  them;  nobody  knows."    So 


•MAN. 


IN  BOOKS. 


«1 


^ey,  wliile  slie 
hicli  lier  father 
ves  during  tlio 
Liral  liistoiy,  of 
ibt  if  they  ever 

drifted  into  the 
no  used  through 
entific  terms  all 
by  that  "  analy- 
ing.  Then  she 
1  a  chair,  and 
i^itical  law.  In 
sley's  pen,  she 
earthquake,  or 
;her  children  to 
with  its  queer 
lies  of  Queen 
raa  made  to  ed- 

enough  to  do 
ve  the  boys  a 
c  in  the  world 
ites  senator,  or 
7  knows."    So 


the  little  maid  was  trained  to  do  only  what 
would  "help  the  boys."  She  wrought  their 
"sums,"  and  wrote  their  "compositions,"  while 
they  studied  mischief.  Slio  never  dreamed  tha+ 
there  was  any  injustice  in  this  adjustment ;  but 
she'  had  one  little,  pet  fancy,  that  was  never 
told.  She  was  going  to  die  some  day  ;  and  she 
prayed  often  that  it  might  be  soon ;  and  then 
she  would  know  all  the  wonderful  things  that 
the  boys  were  going  to  learn  when  they  went 
to  college,  and  that  were  not  for  girls  to  study 
in  this  world. 

Her  brothers  went  to  their  professional 
studies,  and  she  took  the  pleasant  task  of  help- 
ing "  another  girl's  brother,"  with  similar  work. 
As  the  kind  Father  would  have  it,  her  husband 
proved  to  be  clear-eyed,  large-soulod,  and  unpsl- 
fish ;  and  ue  set  about  inspiring  her  with  cour- 
age for  herself,  trying  to  make  her  understand 
that  God  had  given  her  mental  powers,  and  she 
owed  it  to  Him  to  make  the  most  of  them  for 
His  work.  A  wearisome  task  had  he  in  straight- 
ening out  the  "  casto  "  notions  into  which  her 


■'■'^^mamiM 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 

mind  had  been  warped.  It  was  a  basal  belief 
with  her  that  the  work  of  a  woman  for  tljo 
world's  bettering  coukl  be  demo  oidy  througli 
father,  brotlier,  husband,  or  son.  Not  till  slio 
gave  herself  fully  to  tho  Lord,  and  IIo  had 
made  her  "  free,  indeed,"  did  she  allow  herself 
to  think  that  she  could  utter  or  write  a  word 
that  could  direetly  be  of  service.  Since  then, 
she  has  done  what  she  could ;  but  she  will 
suffer  a  lifelong  loss  from  tho  lack  of  systematio 
drill  and  careful  training. 

Perhaps  on  the  back  porch  of  a  cit}'  home,  or 
under  the  trees  in  the  country,  some  young 
girl,  whose  life  has  been  begun  like  that  of  my 
friend,  may  read  this;  and  I  want  to  entreat 
her,  for  the  tlear  Christ's  love,  to  begin  at  once 
to  make  the  most  of  herself,  by  systematic  drill, 
for  His  work. 


MAN. 

3  a  biVHal  belief 
woman  for  tho 
lO  only  thrf)Ugli 
II.  Not  till  alio 
1,  and  lie  had 
le  allow  herself 
or  write  a  word 
30.  Since  then, 
;  but  she  will 
3k  of  systematio 

a  cit}'  honje,  or 
y,  some  young 
like  that  of  my 
vant  to  entreat 
i  begin  at  once 
systematic  drill, 


CHAPTER  VI. 

WOMEN  MUST  STUDY. 

At  last  it  is  conceded,  in  Protestant  chriaten- 
dom,  that  women  have  the  ability  to  learn. 
Tho  woman  who  thinks,  is  no  longer  looked 
upon  as  a  lusu»  naturae.  "She  claims  her 
license  in  her  work." 

In  spite  of  the  disabilities  of  tho  selfish  cen- 
turies, there  have  been  women  who  wore  strong 
eiio-.gh  to  crowd  through  the  thorny  hedges  of 
prejudice  and  ostracism,  and  achieve  excellence. 
George  Eliot  and  Mrs.  Stowe,  in  fiction ;  Mad- 
ame  de  Stael,  in  philosophy ;  Mrs.  Somerville, 
in  mathematics;    Mrs.    Browning,  in  poetry; 
and  since  the  dawn  of  the  better  era,  instead  of 
here  and  there  a  Susannah  Wesley,  or  Eliza- 
beth Fry,  we  have  had  a  host  of  philanthro- 
pists and  reformers,  who  stand  forth  in  the  light 
of  tho  Coming  Day  they  are  helping  to  bring 
in. 


-■^yftH 


mm 


C4 


TFFK  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


TIio  tlioughtful  aro  Hiiyiiig,  "If  woinoa  could 
govern  oiiipires  at  Hccoiul-liaiMl,  as  did  thoso 
who  ruled  French  kings,  what  could  they  not 
do  when  i)crniittcd  to  wiold  an  honorable, 
acknowledged  sceptre?"  A  response  is  found 
in  the  fact  that  the  three  periods  of  brilliancy 
in  English  thought  wore  tlio  reigns  of  tho 
three  queens,  Elizabetli,  Anne,  and  Victoria. 

God  uses  tho  talent  of  women.  They  do 
nine-tenths  of  tijo  public  school-teaching ;  and, 
recently,  they  have  been  given  an  opportunity 
to  try  their  liand  at  "  higher  education."  In 
many  colleges  and  universities  they  have  a 
place  in  tho  faculty.  They  do  their  full  share 
of  work  as  religious  teachers,  though  comptwa- 
tivcly  few  are  salaried  pastors.  They  do  three- 
fourths  of  tho  Sunday-school  teaching,  a  largo 
part^of  tho  preaching  among  the  Friends,  be- 
side filling  many  other  Protestant  pulpits. 
Among  Romanists,  though  held  closely  to  tho 
service  of  their  church,  they  wield  immense 
influence ;  and  they  are  permitted  to  hold  and 
manage   the  finance  of    their    establishments. 


am 


mm 


,;h«*»ft.»W»»l>>tfWW««l!5WSW 


SVOMAN. 

"If  woinon  CDiild 
and,   as   did  thoso 
lat  could  thoy  not 
iold  nu  liononiblc, 
rosponso  Is  t'oiiiid 
jriods  of  brilliaiuiy 
Iio    r(>ip;iiH   of    tlio 
9,  and  Victoria, 
ivomcii.     They   do 
lool-tcaching ;  and, 
ren  an  o2)portunity 
ir  education."     lu 
itics  they  have  a 
lo  tlieir  full  share 
,  though  compafa- 
i.     Tliey  do  three- 
teaching,  a  largo 
?  tlio  Friends,  be- 
rotestant    pulpits, 
eld  closely  to  the 
y  wield  immense 
aitted  to  hold  and 
r    establishments. 


WOMEN   MUHT  HTUDV. 


or) 


They  also  administer  the  sacraments  in  extreme 
cases. 

As  the  priestcsa  at  the  homo  shrine,  as  moth 
cr,   wife,   sister   or  daugliter,   the   woman  has 
measureless  power.     By  her  advice  "  conscience 
cases "   are  settled,  that  turn  strong  feet  this 
way  or  that.    The  creed  of  most  men  is  simply 
an  amplification  of  "  my  mother  said  so."    The 
architect  who  built  the  light-house  of  Pharos, 
put  the  name  of  his  king  upon  the  wonderful 
structure.     The  first  generation  read  it,  but  it 
was  onlv  in  stucco.    It  crumbled  off,  and  left 
cut  in  stone,  to  be  read  through  the  ages,  the 
name   of   the   architect,   Sostratos   of  Cuydus, 
son  of    Dexiphanes.     The   mother  writes  her 
thought  upon   the    child's  soul;    and  though 
other  hands  may  bury  it  with  their  scrawls,  it 
will  come  out  at  last  and  remain  throughout 
eternity. 

Phidias  cut  his  name  on  the  buckle  of  the 
girdle  of  his  statue  of  Minerva  so  skilfully, 
that  to  remove  ♦^^he  name  would  dest;.;'  \e 
statue.      The     mothei's     inwrought     thought 


66 


THIS  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


abides ;  and  happy  is  the  child  in  whose  spirit 
the  tracing  is  by  a  steady,  though  gentle  hand, 
and  under  the  dictation  of  God. 

The  home  is  the  conservator  of  the  civiliza- 
tion, and  the  condition  of  its  women  the  indi- 
cator of  its  progress.    Where  women  are  hon- 
ored the  home  is  noble,  and  the  civilization  safe 
and  strong.     Under  that  exquisite  Greek  cultus, 
a  woman  who  aspired  to  any  thought  above  her 
distaff  and  gossip,  did  so   at  the   risk  of  an 
Aspasian  fame.    The  city  of  Minerva  became 
a  splendid  ruin,  and  the  descendnits  of  the  fol- 
lowers of  Plato,  serfs  and  pirates.     Rome  went 
down  only  when  her  matrons  became  ignorant, 
weak,  and  vain.    The    religion  of   the  Cross 
struck  root   upon  the  Seven  Hills  only  when 
Paula  and  her  noble  friends  cut  loose  from 
their  "  society  "  entanglements,  and  joined  with 
Jerome  in  studying  the  unsearchable  riches  of 

Christ. 

Have  you  read  Bishop  Thomson's  description 
of  the  Taj  Mahal,  the  tomb  of  an  Indian  era- 
press?      Madame  de    Staei    calls  architecture 


WOMAN. 


WOMEN   MUST  STUDY. 


67 


lild  in  whose  spirit 
lough  gentle  hand, 
Jod. 

itor  of  the  civilizar 
ts  women  the  indi- 
sre  women  are  hon- 
the  civilization  safe 
uisite  Greek  cultus, 
T  thought  above  her 
at  the  rislc  of  an 
of  Minerva  became 
icendn'its  of  the  fol- 
lirates.  Rome  went 
as  became  ignorant, 
igion  of  the  Cross 
en  Hills  only  when 
ids  cut  loose  from 
nts,  and  joined  with 
isearchable  riches  of 

liomson's  description 
b  of  an  Indian  era- 
1    calls  architecture 


"frozen  music."  The  Taj  seems  to  be  the 
crystallized  dream  of  a  poet.  The  flowers  that 
ornament  the  interior  of  the  dome  are  inlaid 
precious  stones;  but  oh,  the  human  misery 
which  this  miracle  of  beauty  commemo- 
rates! For  seventeen  years,  twenty  thousand 
poor  men  were  forced  to  work  upon  it  without 
pay,  their  rations  so  cut  down  by  rapacious 
officials  that  multitudes  of  them  died  of  stcirva- 
tion.  And  now,  even  at  its  base,  little  children 
in  their  play  utter  such  impure  things  as 
may  not  enter  a  Christian's  most  unguarded 
thought  I 

An  empire  of  two  hundred  millions  held  in 
subjection  by  a  few  of  the  soldiers  of  a  Chris- 
tian .  queen  I  Nothing  can  save  India  from 
sinking  beneath  the  pitchy  waves  of  her  own 
corruption,  but  to  have  her  women  taught  the 
self-respect  and  dignity  that  come  only  from 
the  religion  of  Jesus. 

With  all  that  is  upon  their  hands,  women 
need  to  be  trained  to  sure,  steady,  reliable 
thinking.    Niebuhr  prays  to  be  delivered  from 


tti»ttdli%a0S)^i&w^ 


68 


THE  POTENTIAL.  WOMAN. 


the  "stupid  good  people."  Much  of  tlie  harm 
and  loss  from  which  Christ's  cause  suffers, 
comes  from  the  ill-advised  efforts  of  well-mean- 
ing saints.  They  think  a  little  way  into  an 
important  matter ;  their  thought  strikes  a  preju- 
dice, and  is  turned  out  of  its  course.  They  act 
upon  the  conclusion,  however,  as  energetically 
as  if  they  had  gone  straight  through  the  mat- 
ter. ITpon  no  question  has  there  been  such 
prejudiced  action  on  the  part  of  truly  conscien- 
tio\is  people  as  upon  this. 

If  women  are  to  teach,  they  must  learn  the 
truth.  They  must  know  the  way  over  which 
they  guide  others.  They  must  be  able  to  work 
through  a  difficult  problem,  whether  it  be  the 
management  of  a  child,  or  a  nation's  finance. 
They  cannot  shirk  the  responsibility.  God  has 
given  them  the  future.  They  cannot  do  strong, 
straight  thinking,  without  being  trained  in 
thought.  Every  one  who  helps  shape  a  home, 
by  laying  her  hand  on  the  lives  of  others,  must 
use  the  ordinary  processes  of  education  in  de- 
veloping in  herself  clearness,  vigor,  reliability. 


[uch  of  the  harm 
3  cause  suffers, 
rts  of  well-mcfui- 
tle  way  into  an 
lit  strikes  a  preju- 
ourse.  They  act 
,  as  energetically 
through  the  mat- 
there  been  such 
of  truly  conscien- 


WOMEN  MUST  STUDY. 


G9 


-making  herself  strong  for  whatever  the  Lord 
calls  her  to  do.  Let  Euclid  and  Virgil  train 
her  to  thoroughness  and  steadiness.  Then  can 
she  "  look  well  to  the  ways  of  her  household"  ; 
she  can  "tak^  the  laboring  oar"  in  any  of  the 
great  philanthropies  of  the  day  ;  "strength  and 
honor  shall  be  her  clothing,"  and  God's  "  WeU 
done,"  her  crown. 


ly  must  learn  the 

way  over  which 

t  be  able  to  work 

whether  it  be  the 

nation's  finance. 

sibility.    God  has 

cannot  do  strong, 

being    trained  in 

Ips  shape  a  home, 

es  of  others,  must 

f  education  in  de- 

,  vigor,  reliability. 


.;."SM8»«ate- 


CHAPTER  VII. 

HOW? 

AccoRDiKG  to  the  old  proverb,  "Where 
there's  a  will,  there's  a  way."  If  a  girl  makes 
up  her  mind  that  she  must  have  college  train- 
ing, or  its  equivalent,  in  order  to  do  the  work 
the  Lord  has  for  her,  slie  will  generally  find  a 
way  to  secure  that  opportunity. 

I  know  it  is  a  great  deal  harder  for  girls  to 
"  work  tlieir  way  "  than  it  is  for  boys.  There 
are  fewer  things  for  them  to  do»  They  can 
hardly  go  about  shovelling  snow  and  sawing 
wood.  Anna  Dickinson,  at  the  front  as  a  lec- 
turer, might  refer  with  pride  tp  the  fact  tliat  she 
swept  Philadelphia  cross-walks  to  get  money  to 
buy  a  book ;  but  mediocre  women  would  not 
care  to  speak  of  having  performed  such  menial 
service. 

If  your  parents  are  rich,  uidess  they  are  un- 
usually wise,  }ou  have  greater  obstacles  to 
70 


I!     ! 


HOW? 


71 


verb,  "  Where 
[f  a  girl  makes 
Q  college  train- 
to  do  the  work 
generally  find  a 

ler  for  girls  to 
r  boys.  There 
do*  Tliey  can 
w  and  sawing 
front  as  a  lec- 
le  fact  tliat  she 
o  get  money  to 
lien  would  not 
ed  such  menial 

ss  they  are  un- 
r    obstacles   to 


overcome  in  securing  a  liberal  education,  than 
you  would  have  if  they  were  poor.  "  Society  " 
claims  you  before  you  are  out  of  your  cradle ; 
and  she  is  a  harder  mistress  than  poverty. 

To  acquire  an  education,  is  like  becoming  a 
Christian ;  the  work  begins  with  a  thrusting  out 
of  self.    One  who  is  born  in  affluence  has  usu- 
ally everything  to  pamper  self.     Much  is  said, 
pro  and   con,  about  "self-made  people";    and 
some  one  has  attempted  to  clinch  the  argument 
in  favor  of  college  training  by  the  weak  witti- 
cism that  to  be  self-made  means  to  be  badly 
made;  while,  in  fact,  if  one  is  educated,  it  is 
always  by  his  own  efforts ;  — self-made,  if  made 
at  all.     Professors,  libraries,  and  other  school 
helps,  are  most  serviceable,  but  they  are  mere 
helps.    One  has  to  master,  by  will  and  faith, 
the  inherent  indolence,  the  propensity  to  daw- 
dle, and  the  desire  for  cheap  admiration.    Oth- 
erwise, all  the  college  courses  in  Christendom, 
with  all  their  prizes  and  parchments,  fail  to 

educate. 

The  woman  who  is  designed  for  "  society," 


72 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


J.    '  I 


like  tho  devotee  of  the  confessionul,  must  not 
be  liberally  educated,  lest  she  be  spoiled  for  the 
narrow,  pretty  role  she  is  to  play.  So,  in  this 
matter,  tlie  girl  who  is  poor  has  au  advantage 
over  one  who  is  rich. 

Make  up  your  mind  that,  if  it  please  God, 
you  will  have  university  training.  If  your  par- 
ents are  well-to-do,  you  can  bring  them  to  see 
this  need,  if  you  go  about  it  in  the  quiet,  sweet 
fashion,  girls  have  of  getting  what  they  want. 
When  you  go  home,  for  vacations,  let  them  see 
such  improvement  in  you  that  they  will  not 
repent,  and  change  their  course. 

If  you  are  poor,  lay  aside  your  pride  and  sen- 
sitiveness. Nothing  that  is  honest  is  dishonor- 
able, no  matter  what  the  world  says.  Be  sensi- 
ble and  economical  in  dress,  amusements,  asso- 
ciations, and  the  like.  Have  faith  in  God,  and 
you  will  find  the  "  great  iron  gates  "  swinging 
open  before  you  of  their  own  accord. 

Let  me  cite  an  instance :  A  young  woman,  a 
widow,  without  property,  made  up  her  mind  to 
give    her    two  daughters  classical  education. 


DMAN. 

jsioiiiil,  must  not 
)e  spoiled  for  tlie 
(lay.  So,  in  this 
as  an  advantage 

i  it  please  God, 
ig.  If  your  par- 
ing them  to  see 
the  quiet,  sweet 
what  they  want. 
uns,  let  them  see 
xt  they  will  not 
I. 

XV  pride  and  sen- 
lest  is  dishonor- 
says.  Be  sensi- 
inusements,  asso- 
aith  in  God,  and 
gates  "  swinging 
3Cord. 

young  woman,  a 

up  her  mind  to 

;sical  education. 


HOW? 


73 


She,  herself,  supervised  their  primary  instrucion. 
Then,  as  they  grew  toward  womanhood,  she 
placed  the  older,  who  had  musical  talent,  under 
the  best  teachers ;  though,  to  do  so,  made  it  nec- 
essary that  mother  and  daughters  should  econ- 
omize so  carefully  as  seldom  to  have  more  than 
one  presentable  dress,  and  no  fmery.  At  six- 
teen, the  young  lady  began  to  teach  music. 
She  taught  her  way  through  college,  and  helped 
her  sister,  also,  through  a  classical  course ;  and 
they  both  graduated  without  debt. 

I  remember  the  first  "girl  graduate "  in  med- 
icine whom  I  ever  met.  I  had  been  told  that 
she  learned  to  work  in  a  silver-plating  establish- 
ment, and  saved  her  wages  to  pay  college  bills. 
I  looked  at  her  somewhat  impiisitively,  for  a 
girl  who  could  do  so  much,  must  have  grown 
rough,  and  masculine,  withal ;  but  a  sweeter, 
more  delicate  soul,  was  nowhere  to  be  found. 

In  a  NVestern  college,  one  of  the  lady  profess- 
ors, whom  all  love  and  honor,  is  not  at  all 
ashamed  to  let  it  be  known  that  she  "worked 
her  way,"  in  other  people's  kitchens,  while  she 


!ir 


mmtuutmttmmmmm 


74 


THE  POTKNTIAL  WOMAN. 


took  a  uuivcivsitj-  course  of  study,  serving  for 
her  board  during  term  time,  and  for  wages 
tiirougli  vacations. 

Plan  t(»  do  tlio  best  possible  work  for  our 
Lord.  Make  the  most  thorough  preparation ; 
and  trust  Him  to  oi)en  the  way  for  this  when 
your  own  energies  aiul  resources  fail. 

In  spite  of  earnest  jjurpose,  and  severest  self- 
denial,  poverty,  your  duty  to  others,  or  ill 
health,  may  ho[)elessly  hedge  your  way.  Then, 
what?  Keep  in  the  sunlight  of  assured  confi- 
dence that  God  knows,  and  cares,  and  He  will 
surely  help  you,  since  He  has  given  you  this 
desire  to  fit  yourself  for  strong  work.  Get  a 
catalogue  of  the  college  you  would  most  like  to 
enter.  IJegin  with  the  preparatory  course,  and 
plod  patiently  through  the  text-books,  one  by 
one,  even  though  you  have  to  be  your  own 
teacher.  There  is  a  great  dciil  that  is  helpful 
in  the  professor's  influence,  and  in  the  surround- 
ings of  college  life ;  yet  I  have  found,  in  exam- 
ining students,  that  those  who  were  obliged  to 
teach  themselves,  had  learned  most  thoroughly 


3MAN. 

tudy,  serving  for 
I  and  for  wages 

lie  work  for  oui* 
igh  preparation  ; 
ay  for  this  when 
cs  fail. 

aiitl  severest  self- 
;o  others,  or  ill 
our  way.  Then, 
af  assured  confi- 
ires,  and  lie  will 

given  you  this 
ig  work.  Get  a 
nild  most  like  to 
itor}'^  course,  and 
xt-books,  one  by 
o  be  your  own 

that  is  helpful 
in  the  surround- 
found,  in  exam- 
were  obliged  to 
most  thoroughly 


now  ? 


Tfi 


their  lessons.  They  had  not  had  rccilation-room 
hints,  prompting  or  suggesting  teachers  to  help 
thoni  over  hard  places.  They  had  been  obliginl 
to  know  what  they  did  know  in  a  thoroughly 
reliable  manner. 

lUit  how  can  you  get  time  for  study?  liy 
saving  the  minutes  from  the  interminable  c(m- 
fidential  talks  to  which  yttuiig  people  arc  ad- 
dicted ;  by  simplicity  in  dress ;  and  by  self- 
denial  in  ami'sements,  yon  can  go  through  a 
college  course,  though  it  will  i)rol)ably  take 
more  years  than  are  usually  given  to  that  work. 

If  you  were  in  school,  the  main  point  for  y(tu 
to  make  would  be  to  acquire  a  habit  of  conquer- 
ing obstacles.  When  you  have  disciplined 
yourself  to  meet  diinculties  with  a  patient  cour- 
age, confident  that  by  brave,  steady  plodding, 
you  can  get  through  them,  the  work  is  really 
done,  whether  or  not  you  ever  hear  a  college 

bell. 

Take,  for  instance,  the  mastering  of  a  lan- 
guage. You  open  a  Spanish  reader,  and  every 
word  has  a  strange,  perplexing  look.    You  feel 


78 


THE  POTENTIAL   WOMAN. 


as  if  you  had  been  carried,  blindfold,  into  tlio 
heart  of  a  wood  Avlierc  yon  had  never  been  bo- 
fore,  and  when  the  bandage  was  removed  from 
your  eyes,  you  could  not  oven  toll  the  points  of 
the  conii)a8S.  The  natural  impulse  is  to  give 
up,  and  wait  for  a  guide.  You  must  have  a 
teacher,  or  you  can  never  learn  Spanish.  But 
you  cannot  have  a  teacher,  and  you  must  loiirn 
Siiaiash,  You  get  a  gramirir,  and  begin  with 
the  ali)hubet.  "A  has  tlie  sound  of  a  in 
father."  Simple  enough.  "B  has  the  same 
sound  as  in  English,  except  whore  it  is  softened 
into  V."  You  commit  to  memory  the  excep- 
tions, and  80  you  creep  along,  inch  by  incli,  till 
you  are  able  to  repeat  the  principles  that  under- 
lie the  structure  and  use  of  the  language. 

Obstacles  mastered  develop  strength.  A 
mountaineer  springs  fearlessly  from  cliff  to  clitl". 
Every  danger,  met  and  conquered,  has  steadied 
his  courage  and  strengthened  his  muscle,  till 
his  step  has  become  as  sure  as  that  of  the  rock- 
goat.  Many  go  through  college,  using  the 
canes  and  crutches  for  such  cases  made  and  pro- 


OMAN. 

liiidfold,  into  the 
J  never  been  bo- 
na removed  fioni 

tell  the  points  of 
npulso  is  to  give 
I'ou  must  luive  a 
rn  Spanish.  But 
1  you  must  leurn 
,r,  and  begin  with 

sound  of  a  in 
B  has  the  same 
bore  it  is  softened 
3mory  tlic  oxcep- 

inch  l)y  inch,  till 
iciples  that  under- 
s  language, 
jp     strength.     A 

from  cliff  to  cliff, 
jred,  has  steadied 
1  his  muscle,  till 

that  of  the  rock- 
(llege,  using  (he 
ses  made  and  pro- 


HOW? 


77 


vidcd.  The  few  do  the  work  that  develops  a 
mental  vigor  which  is  of  untold  value  in  the 
labor  of  life. 

When  college  training  is  quite  beyond  reach, 
there  is  yet,  in  this  generous  land,  enotigU  of 
other  heli>8  to  enable  one  to  work  through  the 
necessary  self-discipline,  even  though  the  obsla- 
cles  are  motmtains  high. 

Elihu  Burritt,  "the  learned  blacksmith,"  sup- 
ported liis  family  at  the  anvil,  while  he  studied 
Latin  and  Greek.  Mary  Somerville,  with  few 
teachers,  or  text-books,  became  a  mathematician 
of  the  first  order.  Frederic  Douglass,  though 
born  a  slave,  has  reached  a  commanding 
position. 

But  some  of  you  sit  with  your  eyes  fastened 
on  the  ground  as  if  you  had  little  heart  or  hope 
for  anything.  You  say  you  have  no  special  tal- 
ent, in  any  direction.  You  have  failed  where 
others  have  succeeded.  There  are  unbreakable 
fetters  that  hold  you  back  from  excellence ; 
some  forged  by  your  own  carelessness  and 
folly ;  others  by  the  sins  of  those  to  whom  you 


mm^mmmm 


'«*«««■ 


I 


I 


78 


3"lli:    I'OTKNTIAL   WOMAN. 


ttro  bnutid.  It  la  too  Into  for  you  to  attempt  to 
a  uoinpliMli  iiiiytliiiip;.  The  "  iiiiglit-lmvc-hecnB" 
uru  Htraiuled  tniift  that  ou},'lit  to  wiirii  every 
youii},'  Hiiilof  to  do  his  hest  wliilc  lio  lias  oi)[)or- 
tuiiity,  and  yet  there  may  be  hope  for  you.  Let 
us  see.  You  may  not  regain  what  you  huvo 
lost. 

"  Tl»c  tender  grace  of  a  day  that  la  dead 
May  never  coiue  back  "  — 

to  you ;  yet  God  lets  you  live  for  some  good 
purpose.  • 

Consecrate  at  onco  to  our  Lord  what  is  left 
of  opi)ortunity,  and  trust  Ilim  to  make  all  Ho 
can  of  it,  in  any  service  for  which  Ho  may  see 
it  available.  Jlemember  that  it  will  matter  littlo 
what  He  bids  you  ia  do.  Anything  for  Him  is 
honor  enough  for  anybody.  Tlien  set  about  de- 
veloping your  powers  for  His  sake,  "  whoso  you 
are,  and  whom  you  serve."  Determine  to  bo 
all  you  can  for  Him.  Plan  a  course  of  readinc. 
Cut  off  all  time-wasting  habits.  Study  your 
Bible  a  half  hour  every  day.  Head  some  solid, 
strong  author,  a  half  hour  each  day  ;  and  as  soon 


■n 


OMAN. 

y^ou  to  attoiupt  to 
iiH;lit-lmv(!-l)ecn«" 
t  ti)  wuni  every 
ile  lie  luis  ()[)[)(»- 
opo  for  you.  Lc't 
I  wluit  you  have 

mt  Is  (lead 

3  for  Hoino  good 

Lord  what  is  left 
to  make  all  Ho 
liicli  Ho  may  see 
will  matter  littlo 
•thing  for  Him  is 
lien  set  about  de- 
ako,  "  whoso  you 
Determine  to  bo 
ourso  of  reading, 
ts.  Study  your 
Read  some  solid, 
lay  ;  and  as  soon 


uow  ? 


70 


as  you  can  bring  yourself  to  do  it,  give  a  lau- 
i^nago  or  a  scienco  tho  same  an\ount  of  tinu!. 
I. earn  tt)  study  wiiilo  you  are  at  work.  Much 
(if  your  daily  toil  ean  become  mechanical,  leav- 
ing your  mind  free  for  other  service.  You  can 
rei)cat  amo,  ant.a8,  amat,  while  you  are  drawing 
tho  thread  through  tho  cloth,  or  working  at  tho 
ironing-board. 

Take,  as  your  motto,  tho  passwords  by  whicli 
tho  Waldensians  recognized  each  other  when 
they  were  hiding  from  their  persecutors,  ''  For 
love  of  Christ,"  and  "  In  His  name."  With  His 
blessing,  you  cannot  fail  to  secure  the  training 
that  will  fit  you  to  do  your  boat  iu  the  Master's 
service. 


W^W^^^^^^^^- 


I  SI 


illll 


IV  ! 


1  i* 

i  ■■ 

i  r 

1 

iki 

CHAPTER  Vm. 

MAKING  THE  MOST  OF   YOUR  GIFTS. 

A  YOUNG  minister  wrote  to  an  older  one, 
complaining  of  the  smallness  of  his  congrega- 
tion. The  other  wrote  in  reply:  "I  think 
you  will  find  in  the  Day  of  Judgment,  that  you 
have  had  quite  as  many  to  speak  to  as  you  will 
care  to  answer  for." 

Many,  like  the  man  with  one  talent  in  the 
parable,  fancy  that  they  would  do  something  in 
the  world  if  they  had  been  better  endowed; 
but,  as  it  is,  it  is  hardly  worth  while  to  try ;  so 
ihey  drift  with  the  years,  and  fail  utterly  of 
the  good  they  might  have  done. 

In  human  lives  the  difftrence  in  outcome  is 
not  so  much  from  difference  in  original  endow- 
ment, as  in  a  diligent  use  or  neglect  of  natural 
gifts.  ' 

There  were  thousands  of  women  in  England 
as  gifted  as  Florence  Nightingale ;  but  they 
80 


MAKING  Tilt  MOST  OF  YOUR  GIFTS. 


81 


mi. 

YOUR  GIFTS. 

to  an  older  one, 
8  of  his   congrega- 

reply:  "I  think 
Judgment,  that  you 
)eak  to  as  you  will 

one  talent  in  the 
Id  do  something  in 
n  better  endowed; 
th  while  to  try ;  so 
and  fail  utterly  of 
ne. 

'ence  in  outcome  is 
in  original  endow- 
neglect  of  natural 

women  in  England 
itingale ;   but  they 


neglected  their  chance  to  "help  just  a  little," 
while  she  made  the  most  of  hers.  She  wrote 
to  a  friend,  who  asked  for  something  of  her  life 
to  publish :  "  There  is  little  to  be  said  about 
me.  God  has  permitted  a  woman  of  very  ordi- 
nary ability  to  do  a  little  for  Himself.  He  has 
done  it  all;  I,  nothing.  The  only  thing  is,  I 
never  denied  Him  anything." 

If  one  is  in  business,  it  is  wiser  for  him  to 
know  the  amount  of  his  capital,  invest  it  care- 
fully, and,  by  sure  and  quick  returns,  to  make 
it  amount  to  the  most,  rather  than  to  invest 
heedlessly,  so  that  a  little  monetary  gale  will 
wreck  his  craft.  It  is  better  for  each  of  us  to 
know  what  gifts  we  have,  and  then  make  all  we 
can  of  them. 

Talents  grow  by  exercise.  Witness  the 
blacksmith's  arm,  and  the  singer's  voice. 
Parepa  Rosa  receivod  thousands  a  night  for  her 
singing.  Firm  and  strong  as  were  the  muscles 
of  her  throat,  she  did  not  trust  them  befoi-e  the 
public  without  daily    practice  of   the  Knales. 


I 


f  1 


i  i 


82  THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 

As  we  mean  to  be  and  do  all  we  can  for  the 
sake  of  Ilim  to  whom  we  belong,  let  us  not 
strain  after  gifts  that  He  did  not  see  fit  to  give 
us,  but  let  us  develop  those  we  have  by  careful 
constant  exercise.    The  Bible  rule  is,  he  that 
is  faithful  in  little  shall  be  trusted  with  much  ; 
and  to  tim  that  hath,   shall  more  be   given. 
You    may   spend   a  lifetime    in  self-scrutiny, 
trying  to  determine  whether  or  not  you  have 
this  or  that  gift,  and  thus  lose  the  chance  of 
using  the  talent  that  is  yours  beyond  question. 
There  are  ajew  things  for  the  use  of  which 
you  know  you  must  give  account.    See  to  it 
that  you  make  the  most  of  them.    Foremost 
among  them  is  time. 

The  time  of  the  daughter  of  a  well-to-do 
family  is  not  regarded  as  of  much  account.  It 
has  little  monetary  value.  You  and  your 
brother  have  come  home  from  school.  He  is  set 
lit  business,  or  to  secure  professional  standing. 
He  gets  up  in  the  morning  with  the  air  of  one 
of  the  "producers"  upon  whom  somebody  is 
going  to  depend.     He  draws  on  his  overcoat, 


)MAN. 

11  we  can  for  the 
ilong,  let  U8  not 
lot  see  fit  to  give 

have  by  careful 

rule  is,  he  that 
isted  with  much ; 

more  be   given. 

in  self-scrutiny, 
or  not  you  have 
ise  the  chance  of 

beyond  question, 
the  use  of  which 
count.     See  to  it 

them.    Foremost 

r  of  a  well-to-do 
audi  account.  It 
You  and  your 
school.  He  is  set 
[essional  standing, 
vith  the  air  of  one 
hom  somebody  is 
3  on  his  overcoat. 


MAKING  THE  MOST  OF  YOUR  GIFTS. 


83 


and  sets  his  hat  down  on  his  head,  as  if  he  ex- 
l)ected  to  be  of  some  use,  and  steps  off  down 
street  with  a  brisk,  business-like  movement,  as 
if  it  would  make  some  difference  with  affairs  if 
he  were  not  in  his  place  "  on  time."  You  get 
up  when  you  please,  spend  as  much  time  on 
your  "  frizzes  "  and  "  bangs  "  as  you  like,  read 
as  many  wishy-washy  stories  as  you  choose, 
gossip  idly  with  others  who  have  nothing  in 
particular  to  do,  make  and  receive  as  many  in- 
terminable visits  as  happen  to  be  convenient, 
tangle  and  untangle  silks  and  worsteds  ad  in- 
finitum. Your  muscle  grows  flaccid.  Your  mind 
deteriorates.  Ennui  seizes  you.  You  flirt  with 
some  weak-brained  carpet  knight,  simply  for 
the  sake  of  a  sensation.  Your  soul  is  starved. 
You  have  a  sense  of  general  good-for-nothing' 
ness.  When  you  nuirry,  they  say  you  liave 
thrown  yourself  away ;  tliough  for  the  tiiu> 
you  are  grateful  to  anybody  who  will  take  you 
off  your  own  hands,  and,  by  giving  you  a  house 
to  keep,  will  help  you  find  a  "  vo-^  r.tion." 
Then,  ten  chances  to  one,  your  troubles  begin 


84 


THE  POTENTIAL   WOALAN. 


i    II 


:,i 


1 1- 


in  good  earnest.  Incompetent  servants,  ill 
health,  nervousness,  financial  reverses,  and  the 
thousand  and  one  ills  that  flesh  is  heir  to,  corae 
in  troops.  Your  hands  are  full  of  duties  that 
demand  the  steadiest  nerve,  clearest  brain, 
and  strongest  faith. 
Aurora  Leigh  says :  — 

"  The  works  of  women  are  symbolical. 
We  sew,  sew,  prick  our  fingers,  dull  our  sight, 
Producing  what?    A  pair  of  slippers,  sir, 
To  put  on  when  you're  weary.    .    .    . 
Or  else,  at  best,  a  cushion,  where  you  lean 
And  sleep,  and  dream  of  something  we  are  not, 
But  would  be,  for  your  sake.    Alas,  alas ! 
This  hurts  most,  this,  that  after  all  we're  paid 
The  worth  of  our  work,  perhaps." 

Your  accomplishments,  as  they  are  called,  — 
the  making  of  slippers,  cushions,  and  the  like, 
in  a  pretty,  tasteful  fashion,  —  are  not  to  be 
frowned  down.  No  Barebones  Parliament,  nor 
Blue  Laws  Congress,  can  legislate  out  of  a 
woman's  nature  the  love  for  artistic  combina- 
tions of  form  and  color ;  yet  the  real  value  of 
knick-knacks  of    that  sort  is,  that  they  give 


i 


•MAN. 

nt  servants,  ill 
everses,  and  the 
L  is  heir  to,  come 
11  of  duties  that 
,   clearest  brain, 


ijiubolical. 
lull  our  sight, 
ipers,  sir, 

•        • 

e  you  lean 
ing  we  are  not, 
Jas,  alas! 
all  we're  paid 

ley  are  called,  — 
)ns,  and  the  like, 
—  are  not  to  be 
3  Parliament,  nor 
jgislate  out  of  a 
artistic  combina- 
the  real  value  of 
,  that  they  give 


MAKING  THE  MOST  CV  VOUR  GIFTS. 


85 


one's  homo  a  sweet,  bright,  cheery  look,  an  air 
that  welcomes  the  outside  workers  at  evening, 
and  charms  away  their  weariness,  like  the  tea- 
kettle song  and  the  hearth-cricket  in  Dickens' 
little  story.  They  are  worth  their  weight  in 
diamonds,  when  love  and  tenderness  are  wrought 
into  every  stitch.  But  oh,  the  folly  of  putting 
up  such  thirgs  for  sal:,  to  pay  for  the  parson- 
age, or  cushion  the  church!  One  might  as 
well  attempt  to  sell  bird-songs,  dewdrops,  and 
rainbows. 

The  givls  wrfnt  to  do  something  to  help  along  I 
Poor  things  1  They  cannot  earn  anything  to 
give.  Their  time  is  regarded  valueless.  So 
they  are  required  to 

"  Sew,  sew,  prick  their  fingers,  dull  their  sight," 

and  the  net  profits  on  their  products  are  less 
tlian  the  earnings  of  one  day  in  a  good,  paying 
avocation. 

Talk  about  women  never  producing  master- 
pieces of  art  I  Many  a  one  has  frittered  away 
enough     taste     upon     chenille,     arasine,    and 


T^^fjty^PSfRs:-- 


nat 


86 


THB  POTENTIAL  'WOlkLA.N. 


V. 


"  crazy  "  work,  to  have  made  her  a  TintojJetto, 
if  she  had  given  the  time  to  the  study  of  art, 
and  had  had  opportunity  and  scope  for  the 
exercise  of  her  talent. 

The  world  is  coarse,  rough  and  hard,  in  its 
politics,  its  philanthropies,  its  worship.  It 
needs  everywhere  the  Christly  gentleness,  the 
tender  patience,  that  women  learn  beside  cra- 
dles and  dying  beds.  Tlie  woraan'r^  aspira- 
tions, sweet  and  holy,  should  be  wrought  into 
epic  and  statue,  picture  and  cathedral.  Holmes 
said :  "  No  wonder  Balzac  wrote  good  novels. 
He  dug  them  out  of  a  woman's  heart."  Out  of 
the  woman's  heart  must  come  the  sweetness 
that  shall  heal  the  bitter  waters  of  this  world's 
misery. 

The  charities  have  been  growing  strong  and 
practical  during  the  last  quarter  of  a  century, 
because  the  King's  daughters  have  been  giving 
their  strength  to  them,  instead  of  to  the  petti- 
ness in  which  they  wore  held  during  the  un- 
Christ-like  ages.  Industrial  schools  for  poor 
);ttle  waifs,  who  will  surely  slip  into  the  quick- 


MAN. 

ler  a  Tintoretto, 
he  study  of  art, 
I  scope  for  the 

and  hard,  in  its 
3    worship.      It 

gentleness,  the 
!ain  l/osido  cra- 
kvoraan'd  aspira- 
)e  wrouglit  into 
ledial.  Holmes 
Dte  good  novels, 
heart."  Out  of 
3   the  sweetness 

of  this  world's 


MAKING  THE  MOST  OF  YOUE  GIFTS. 


87 


sands  unless  they  are  taught  by  some  one  to 
earn  their  bread  honestly  ;  flower  missions,  car- 
rying brightness  to  "  the  least  of  those "  who 
are  shut  away  from  the  sunshine;  and  the 
blessed  sisterhood  of  the  White  Cross,  reaching 
down  to  save  those  for  whom  nobody  has 
cared,  — oh,  how  much  there  is  for  us  to  do,  if 
we  will  only  "  find  time  "  for  it  1 

For  His  sake  who  watches  the  humblest  of 
His  workers,  let  us  bold  each  minute  as  too 
precious  to  waste  on  trifles,  "redeeming  the 
time,  for  the  days  are  evil." 


ving  strong  and 

ir  of  a  century, 

ave  been  giving 

of  to  the  petti- 

during  the  un- 

ichools  for  poor 

into  the  quick- 


mmmm 


CHAPTER    IX. 


BREAD-WINNENO. 


Probably  the  majority  of  the  young  ladies 
who  read  this  book,  earn  their  own  living.  But 
one  says,  "  I  am  living  at  home.  My  father  and 
brothers  support  me."  You  do  not  mean  to  say 
you  live  in  idleness,  do  you  ? 

"  No,  indeed.  I  am  up  as  early,  and  work  as 
late,  and  as  hard  as  anybody  about  the  house. 
But  I  don't  call  that  earning  my  own  living." 

It  seems  that  you  work  for  nothing,  and  call 
your  board  and  clothing  a  gift.  How  is  it  with 
your  brothers  ?  Do  they  think  they  earn  their 
own  living? 

"  Well,  I  fancy  it  wouldn't  be  quite  the  thing 
to  hint  that  anybody  else  supports  them.  But 
then,  it  is  different  with  boys,  you  know." 

Why  should  it  be  different?  There  is  noth- 
ing gained  by  calling  things  by  the  wrong 
name.     If    they  earn    their    living,  you  earn 

88 


BREAD-WINNING. 


n 


le  young  ladies 

mi  living.    But 

My  father  and 

not  mean  to  say 

ly,  and  work  as 
jout  the  house. 

own  living." 
jthing,  and  call 

How  is  it  with 
they  earn  their 

quite  the  thing 
rts  them.  But 
3U  know." 
There  is  noth- 
by  the  wrong 
k^ing,  you  earn 


yours.  In  our  country,  both  boys  and  girls  be- 
come responsible  for  their  own  acts  at  twenty- 
one. 

"  But  we  ought  to  help  our  parents  " 

To  be  sure,  boys  and  girls  alike,  owe  parents 
a  debt  that  they  can  never  repay.  On  the  other 
hand,  parents  owe  it  to  their  children  to  train 
them  so  that  they  can  take  care  of  themselves. 
In  order  to  that,  they  must  develop  in  them 
those  most  important  elements  of  character, 
self-respect  ar-d  self-reliance.  If  you  are  in  ser- 
vice for  which  you  receive  nothing,  and  in  the 
attitude  of  a  recipient  of  bounty,  you  can  hardly 
help  being  deficient  in  those  same  elements  of 
character. 

Wise  parents  make  their  daughters,  as  well 
as  their  sons,  equal  to  self-support.  But  it  is 
not  "  according  to  the  customs,"  as  the  Chinese 
say.  I  have  read  that  the  Duke  of  Argyle  ap- 
prenticed a  son  to  a  tea  merchant.  I  doubt  if 
even  he  were  brave  enough  to  apprentice  his 
daughter  to  a  milliner. 

Perhaps  your  parents  and  brothers  delight  so 


90 


Tin:  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


m 


1     Jlr 


in  having  you  in  the  home,  and  in  giving  you 
expressions  of  lovo  and  tenderness,  it  never  en- 
ters their  minds  tluit  you  can  need  to  bo  devel- 
oped in  ability  to  support  yourself.     In  view  of 
tho  fact  that  you  are  liable  any  day,  by  their 
death  or  impoverishment,  to  be  thrown  upon 
your  own  resourccB,  you  ought  to   think   and 
plan  for  yourself.     Allow  mc  to  add  that  you 
must  be  sweet  and  gentle,  with  all  your  inde- 
pendent thinking,  or  you  will  lose  more  than 
you  gain.     There  is  little  to  fear,  however,  in  a 
well  directed,  candid  facing  of  this  question,  or 
from  its  result.    I  have  observed  that  they  who 
most  respect  themselves,  and  are  surest  of  their 
own  standing,  are  most  just,  generous,  and  self- 
controlled.    It  is  the  incompetent,  and  those 
who  are  conscious  of  being  kept  out  of  their 
own,  who  do  the  fretting  and  scolding. 

As  a  true  Christian  woman,  you  cannot  do 
otherwise  than  always  treat  your  parents  with 
reverence  and  love.  Yet  you  nesd  not  shut 
your  oyes  to  the  fact  that  if  you  do  a  servant's 
work,  you    really  earu  a  servant's  wages, — 


I 


-S. 


rOMAN. 

nd  ia  giving  you 
rness,  it  never  en- 
neetl  to  bo  devel- 
irself.    In  view  of 
any  day,  by  their 
)  be  thrown  upon 
ght  to   think   and 
!  to  add  that  you 
ith  all  your  inde- 
iU  lose  more  than 
fear,  however,  in  a 
)f  this  question,  or 
•ved  that  they  who 
are  surest  of  their 
generous,  and  self- 
ipetent,  and  those 
kept  out  of  their 
I  scolding, 
m,  you  cannot  do 
your  parents  with 
)u  nesd  not  shut 
you  do  a  servant's 
lerv  ant's  wages, — 


BREAD-WINNING.  WE' 

your  board,  and  two,  three,  or  four  dollars  a 
wook.  As  a  pcrnjanont  and  interested  member 
of  the  housrliold,  your  service  is  wort  I  .t>le 

tliat  of  th(    best  servant.     You  huvo,  .  las 

earn,  and  the  proverb   is,  "A  penny  is 

two  pence  earned."  It  is  in  your  i)owoi  ..,  till 
the  home  with  order,  economy,  comfort,  and 
good  cheer  ;  and  they  are  beyond  price,  even  in 
their  influence  upon  the  more  conspicuous 
bread-winners. 

It  is  to  be  hoped  that  you  will  have  a  home 
of  your  own  some  day,  —  a  home  so  affluent 
and  full  of  unselfish  love,  that  this  common, 
mercenary  question  will  never  dare  intrude. 
After  the  favov  and  service  of  God,  that  is  His 
best  gift,  and  most  to  be  desired.  Monetary, 
political,  or  literary  success,  is  poverty-stricken 
failure,  without  tliis  heart's  rest.  Aurora  Leigii 
says : — 

"  My  Father,  Thou  hast  knowledge,  only  Thou, 
How  dreary  't  is  for  women  to  sit  still 
On  wintry  nights,  hy  solitary  fires. 
And  hear  the  nations  praising  tliem  far  off. 


■fillilHHi 


92  TUB  rOTENTIAIi  WOMAN. 

Too  fail    Ay,  pratRiiim  our  quick  nmwe  of  lovo, 
Our  very  heart  of  passionate  womanhood, 
Which  could  not  heat  no  In  this  vcrHo  without 
lining  present  also  in  the  unkissed  iipH, 
And  eyes  undrled  because  there's  none  to  ask 
The  reason  they  grow  uiolst." 


Tlio  opposite  of  that  droary  life  is  tl»o  pretty 
(Ileum  tliiit  lloats  ever,  sweet  and  airy,  througli 
a  young  girl's  fancy.  IIow  often  is  it  scattered 
like  morning  frost-work  in  the  plain  daylight  of 
hard  facts  I  Think  of  the  sad-faced,  wrinkled, 
heavy-hearted  women  about  you.  They  all 
d  roamed  that  same  dream.  One  was  widowed 
Kfore  marriage;  another,  soon  after;  while  a 
third  saw  the  fine,  handsome  fellow  ou  whose 
arm  she  leaned  so  proudly  that  wedding  morn- 
ing, go  down  under  the  black  waves  of  intem- 
perance. A  fourth  has  had  a  world  of  trouble 
with  her  children ;  and  the  worst  of  it  is,  her 
conscience  lays  the  blame  at  the  door  of  her 
own  incompetency. 

Your  hopefulness  paints  the  future  in  azure 
and  gold.    God  grant  that  your  dreams  be  real- 


M. 


WOMAN. 

k  Mmti  of  lovo, 
tiiatiluMxl, 
k'cisc  without 
(m1  lips,        ; 
8  none  to  a«k 


ry  life  is  tlio  pretty 

and  airy,  througli 

:)fteii  is  it  scattered 

10  plain  dayliglit  of 

ad-faced,  wrinkled, 

it  you.    They    all 

One  was  widowed 

lOon  after  ;  while  a 

le  fellow  on  whose 

hat  wedding  morn- 

ck  waves  of  intem- 

a  world  of  trouble 

worst  of  it  is,  her 

it  the  door  of  her 


the  future  in  azure 
'^our  dreams  be  real- 


.%.^    oOc- 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-S) 


1.0 


I.I 


I^|2j8     |2.5 
U£  1^    111112.2 


^  m 


I 


2.0 


1.8 


1.25   1 1.4   III  1.6 

.4 6"     ^ 

Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  873-4S03 


•N? 


\ 


<^ 


^^>%^ 
<^^^ 


■n- 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Instltut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


kva 


BKEAD-WTNNIKG. 


93 


ized.  There  is  so  great  a  preponderance  of 
probability  that  they  will  fail,  it  is  wise  to 
prepare  for  failure.  You  will  find  yourself 
thereby  the  better  fitted  to  enjoy  success.  Sup- 
pose the  man  who  "was  meant"  for  you  does 
not  die,  nor  marry  anybody  else,  nor  lose  his 
way  in  finding  you,  and  you  really  settle  to 
the  beautiful,  blessed  business  of  making  a 
home,  you  will  find  that,  for  even  the  material 
side  of  your   worlc,  you   need   most  thorough 

preparation. 

Every  girl  ought  to  be  carefully  trained  in 
housekeeping,  even  if  she  is  never  to  marry. 
She  ought  to  know,  for  herspH,  ;iow  a  living- 
place  can  be  made  comfortable  and  delightful. 
Every  woman  ought  to  have  "  a  home  of  her 
own,"  husband  or  no  husband.  It  adds  to  her 
dignity  to  have  a  house,  over  which  she  pre- 
sides, where  she  dispenses  hospitality  and  char- 
ity, bearing  her  part,  as  a  responsible  member 
of  the  community  and  church. 

If  a  young  lady  is  properly  trained  in  domes- 
tic  economy,  she  can  begin  with  her  husband  at 


i 


ri'-'-i!f,'i-A\,-''vm^i»-f^'lf'V:>_r3:^Ty'i\l''>!X;}iS'  ^ 


.?*< 


94 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


the  foot  of  tht  financial  ladder  and  work  up- 
ward. I  know  of  no  happier  bit  of  temporality 
than  the  adding  of  item  after  item  of  comfort 
and  refinement  to  a  small,  new  home,  —  seeing 
it  grow  into  symmetry  and  elegance  under  two 
pairs  of  loving  hands. 

Many  a  young  lady  who  has  been  brought  up 
in  indolent  helplessness  has  had  to  reject  the 
man  who  had  captured  her  heart,  because  she 
knew  she  would  be  only  a  showy  burden. 
Marrying  for  a  home,  she  has  been  guilty  of 
what  blunt  old  Dr.  Clark  calls  "  legalized  adul- 
tery." In  her  empty-hearted  luxury,  she  knows 
that  she  has  made  shipwreck  of  the  best  that 
this  world  could  give. 

While  a  girl  is  under  the  care  of  her  mother, 
who  is  usually  the  best  and  most  unselfish  in- 
structor, she  need  not  be  half  a  lifetime  learn- 
ing the  simple  details  of  housework. 

Some  are  years  in  learning  to  read  their  own 
language.  They  blunder  along,  stumbling  over 
the  hard  word  .  ble  to  render  plainly  a  sin- 
gle paragraph.  o  trouble  is,  they  do  not  fix 
their  attention  on  what  they  are  doing. 


g 
8 
n 

t( 
ii 
ii 

y 

l€ 
h 

aj 
di 
tl 
hi 
ki 
lii 
w 
ti 


MAN. 

jr  and  work  np- 
t  of  temporality 
item  of  comfort 
home,  —  seeing 
Tance  under  two 

been  brought  up 
ad  to  reject  the 
3art,  because  she 
showy  burden. 
}  been  guilty  of 
"legalized  adul- 
ixury,  she  knows 
of  the  best  that 

B  of  her  mother, 
lost  unselfish  in- 
a  lifetime  learn- 
york. 

)  read  their  own 
;,  stumbling  over 
er  plainly  a  sin- 
,  they  do  not  fix 
e  doing. 


11 


BREAT)- WINKING. 


95 


For  the  same  reason,  girls  are  sometimes  a 
great  while  in  learning  to  keep  house,  and  never 
do  learn  it  thoroughly. 

Suppose  you  make  up  your  mind  to  be  a 
good  housekeeper,  and  say  to  yourself :  "  I  am 
going  to  learn  to  make  a  bed  as  well  as  mv 
mother  does."  Your  mother  will  be  glad  to 
teach  you  so  that  you  can  learn  it  in  one  morn- 
ing. On  the  other  hand,  if  you  underrate  the 
importance  of  this  knowledge,  and  fancy  that 
you  can  pick  it  up  in  some  way,  going  on  care- 
lessly and  indifferently  with  your  work,  you 
will  never  acquire  a  habit  of  keeping  your 
house  tidy,  comfortable,  and  with  economy. 

Some  women  are  meanly  and  selfishly  extrav- 
agant,—  not  of  set  purpose,  but  because  they 
did  not  take  pains  to  learn  a  better  way  when 
they  ought  to  have  done  so.  No  wonder  men 
have  a  light  opinion  of  wives  who  have  so  little 
knowledge  of  monetary  values  that  they  cannot 
lift  an  ounce  of  the  "  business  "  burdens ;  and 
who,  in  their  ignorance,  seem  not  to  care  at  all 
that  their  husbands  grow  coarse,  and  old,  in 


96 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAX. 


their  dingy,  dismal  dens  of  trade,  to  "  make  the 
money  "  for  them  to  spend  in  showy  dress,  and 
gossipy  indolence.  You  cannot  respect  yourself 
unless  you  know  that  you  do  thoroughly,  and 
well,  the  work  for  which  you  are  rightfully  held 
responsible. 

Miss  Fisk  tells  us  that  she  was  one  day  trying 
to  teach  a  company  of  silly,  chattering  Persian 
women,  whom  she  could  not  keep  quiet.  At 
last  she  rebuked  them  sharply;  and  one  of 
them  looked  up  into  her  face  with,  "Why,  don't 
you  know  we're  only  women  ?  "  "  That,"  adds 
Miss  Fisk,  "  was  equivalent  to  saying,  '  We  are 
donkeys.'"  Poor  things  I  From  mother  to 
daughter,  they  had  never  been  given  anything 
as  their  legitimate  work,  whicli  they  could  learn 
to  do  honestly,  and  well,  and  so  command  the 
respect  of  themselves,  or  anybody  else.  As 
Christians,  we  ought  to  know  better,  for  "  what 
our  hands  find  to  do,"  we  are  to  do  "  heartily, 
as  unto  the  Lord." 

Occasionally  we  go  into  a  simple  home  where 
a  plain  woman  presides,  —  one  who  does  what 


[AN. 

,  to  "  make  the 
owy  dress,  and 
espect  yourself 
loroughly,  and 
rightfully  held 

one  day  trying 
tering  Persian 
ep  quiet.  At 
;  and  one  of 
I,  "Why,don't 

"  That,"  adds 
ying,  '  We  are 
)m  mother  to 
iven  anything 
ey  could  learn 
command  the 
)dy  else.  As 
ter,  for  "  what 

do  "heartily, 

e  home  where 
ho  does  what 


BREAD-WINNING.  97 

she  can  with  the  means  at  hand.  We  feel  the 
refinement  as  soon  as  we  cross  the  threshold. 
We  are  conscious  that  we  are  in  the  court  of  a 
queen.  From  such  homes,  and  from  under  the 
hand  of  such  mothers,  have  come  the  men  and 
women  who  have  done  most  to  lift  the  world  up 
into  God'a  sunlight. 

But  you  may  not  have  the  chance  to  grow 
unselfish  and  lovely  in  a  lowly  home.    You 
may  marry  a  rich  man  who  can  "  set  up  house- 
keeping" for  you,  "with  all  the  modern  im- 
provements."   Even  then,  you  need  a  thorough 
knowledge  of  housework,  or  you  will  not  be 
able  to  manage  your  servants,  and  you  will  find 
}  ourself  in  a  labyrinth  of  domestic  disorder.     A 
house  without  a  competent  woman  to  manage 
its  affairs,  may  be  compared  to  an  army  without 
a  commander.    There  is  no  end  to  the  loss  of 
opportunity  and  resource.     Upholsterers   may 
furnish  with  an  elegantly  stiff  and  unusable  air. 
Trained  servants  may  bring  on  the  meals  in 
proper  time  and  order,  yet  the  atmosphere  that 
makes  a  palace  of  a  cabin  is  altogether  lacking. 


-r*— w- 


08 


*rHB  POTENTIAL    WOMAN. 


There  are  a  thousand  and  one  points  that  need 
the  touch  of  a  woman  of  refined  tuste  and 
culture  ;  and  without  it,  the  charm  of  compu  te- 
nesa  is  wanting. 

And  then,  in  this  republic  where  there  are 
no  entailed  estates,  the  rich  of  to-ch\y  are  poor 
to-morrow.  You  do  not  know  how  soon  you 
may  bo  obliged  to  do  with  your  own  hands  the 
work  necessary  to  the  comfort  of  the  household. 

Just  here  I  catch  a  glimpse  of  a  dragon  that 
destroys  the  peace  of  many  a  family,  and  Avrecks 
many  a  young  life.  If  I  point  him  out,  I  won- 
der if  some  brave  knight  of  the  "new  chivalry" 
will  not  ride  into  his  fens,  and  dispatch  him  for 
our  safety.  Robbie  Burns  turned  a  Gatling 
gun  upon  him,  but  he  failed  to  give  him  the 
coup  de  grace. 

He  saw  the  meanness  of  contempt  of  plain, 
honest,  hard  work,  and  wrote,  as  best  be  could, 
to  make  that  contempt  contemptible :  — 

"  Is  there  for  honest  poverty 

Wlia  hangs  his  head,  and  a'  that  ? 
The  coward  slave,  we  pass  him  by; 
We  dare  be  poor,  and  a'  that. 


i  that  need 
[  taste  unci 
)f  complote- 

e  there  are 
ay  are  jioor 
V  soon  you 
I  hands  the 
)  househokl. 
Iragon  that 
and  Avrecks 
out,  I  won- 
w  chivalry  " 
itch  him  for 
[  a  GatUng 
ve  him  the 

pt  of  plain, 
3t  be  could, 


BREAD-WINNINO.  09 

For  a'  that,  and  a'  tliat, 

Our  toils  obscure,  and  a'  that; 
The  rank  is  but  the  guinea's  stamp  — 

The  man's  the  gowd,  for  a'  that. 

"  Wliat  though  on  hamcly  fare  we  dine, 

Wear  hmldin  grey,  and  a'  that; 
Gie  fools  their  silks,  and  knaves  their  wine, 

A  roan  's  a  man,  for  a'  tliat. 
For  a'  that,  and  a'  that, 

Their  tinsel  show,  and  a'  that; 
The  honest  man,  tliough  e'er  sae  poor, 

Is  king  o'  men,  for  a'  that. 

"  Tlien  let  us  pray  that  come  It  may, 

As  conio  it  will,  for  a"  that. 
That  sense  and  worth,  o'er  a'  the  earth, 

May  bear  the  gree,  and  a'  that. 
For  a'  that,  and  a'  that, 

It's  coming  yet,  for  a'  that, 
When  man  to  man,  the  wide  world  o'er, 

Will  brothers  be,  and  a'  that." 

Loyal  Americans  set  their  faces  as  a  flint 
against  European  aristocracy;  yet  it  is  mere 
consistent  than  that  of  our  own  land.  Its  dig- 
nity is  shared  by  the  whole  household  who  hap- 
pen to  have  inherited  its  honors.    The  husband 


100 


THE  POTENTIAL  'WOMAN. 


is  not  obliged  to  grind  up  hia  chances  for 
refined,  cultivated  life,  to  get  the  means  to  sup- 
port his  family  in  elegance. 

I  once  hoard  a  lady  who  seemed  to  have  good 
sense  about  other  matters,  give  it  as  her  opinion 
thai  0.11  aristocracy  is  necessary  to  the  complete- 
ness of  society ;  and,  as  we  in  America  have  no 
titled  estates,  she  thought  our  best  substitute  is 
to  have  women  kei)t  daintily  and  delicately  as 
an  aristocratic  order.  Faugh  I  What  republi- 
canism 1  What  could  a  woman  think  of  herself 
to  take  that  role,  while  the  man  whoso  life  is  a 
part  of  her  own,  is  lashed  out  of  all  comeliness 
and  beauty  to  support  her  pretence  of  superior- 
ity! 

Though  this  wrong  social  bent  is  the  bane  of 
married  life,  yet  it  is  often  the  result  of  mis- 
taken tenderness.  The  young  business  man 
wants  to  hedge  his  wife  in  from  all  the  perplexi- 
ties and  drudgery  of  business.  He  puts  her  in 
a  pleasant  house,  and  brings  about  her  ail  the 
sweet,  refining  things  within  his  reach,  and 
bends  to  the  laboring  oar,  fancying  that  she,  at 


iSL- 


I 


r. 

cluinoes  for 
eiiiis  to  8up- 

0  have  good 
her  opinion 
10  complete- 
ica  have  no 
jubstituto  is 
lelicately  as 
hat  republi- 
ik  of  herself 
3S0  life  is  a 

1  comeliness 
of  superior- 

the  bane  of 

suit  of  mis- 

isinesa  man 

the  perplexi- 

puts  her  in 

her  ail  the 

reach,   and 

that  she,  at 


BREAD-WrXNlNO. 


101 


least,  is  hiippy  and  safe.  Ho  does  not  seem  to 
understand  tliat  his  comfort  is  as  much  to  her 
as  hers  is  to  him.  IIow  would  ho  enjoy  dainty 
seclusion  while  she  was  out  alone,  buffeting 
business  breakers,  her  brain  reeling  uiuler  the 
weight  of  care.  A  true,  unselfish  woman  is 
never  moro  contented  than  when  she  knows 
that  her  work  amounts  to  something  in  lighten- 
ing the  burdens  of  those  who  are  her  life's  life. 
If  a  man  sells  goods,  it  may  greatly  strengthen 
the  firm  for  his  wile  to  be  in  partnership 
with  him.  Her  quick  sense,  and  habit  of  obser- 
vation, may  help  him  in  the  purchase  of  stock, 
and  her  tender  conscience  may  hold  him  to  the 
line  of  right  when  ho  is  tempted  to  be  lax  in 
business  morals.  Many  a  house  would  have 
been  saved  from  bankruptcy  if  the  wives  of  the 
partners  had  had  a  voice  in  the  management  of 
affairs.  If  a  man  practices  law,  or  medicine,  it 
might  be  greatly  to  the  interest  of  all  concerned 
if  his  wife  shared  his  studies  and  work.  The 
danger  of  their  growing  away  from  each  other 
—  a  most  deadly  peril  in  the  domestic  life  of 


102 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


enterprising  people  —  would  bo  avoifled;  the 
womiin's  tact  and  skill  would  be  given  full 
scope,  and  the  joint  interest  would  be  bcli)ed  on 
by  the  new  and  peculiar  strength  she  would 
bring  into  the  concern. 

"  But,"     you     usk,     "  what     about    society 
claims?" 

As  I  understand  it,  they  are  largely  facti- 
tious, and  they  nuiy  always  be  waived  when  oc- 
casion requires.  There  is  a  great  deal  in  them 
that  is  at  war  with  domestic  happiness.  Few 
society  people,  or  successful  business  men,  are 
happy  in  their  families.  Sooner  or  later,  it 
conies  out  that  they  have  met  the  heavy  de- 
mands of  society  and  business  at  the  expense  of 
their  domestic  life.  Let  the  man  and  woman 
*'  whom  God  hath  joined  together,"  stand  side 
by  side  in  work,  and  in  social  life,  and  we 
shall  have  fewer  of  those  abominable  divorce 
and  scandal  cases  that  do  most  abound  among 
society  people,  and  those  who  aspire  to  that 
position. 

Instead  of  the  wife  spending  her  husband's 


BltKAD-WINNINO. 


103 


oifled ;  the 
given   full 

0  helped  on 
bIio  wouUl 

)ut    society 

irgely  facti- 
ed  when  oc- 
eal  in  them 
iness.  Few 
Js8  men,  are 

or  later,  it 
e  heavy  de- 
e  expense  of 

and  woman 
"  stand  side 
ife,  and  we 
ible  divorce 
ound  among 
pire  to   that 

jr  husband's 


hard  eiirnliigs  in  show  and  nonsense,  lot  her 
sluuo  the  l;il)or  of  prodiiciiirr,  thus  saving  both 
from  temptations  to  moral  dclinciuoncios. 

If  slio  brings  trained  business  brain  to  Jier 
domestic  alTairs,  she  will  get  through  them  ten 
times  niore  easily  than  if  she  lives  in  the  usual, 
light,  careless  way.  She  will  bo  willing  to  pay 
well  for  domestic  service,  securing  brain  for 
her  sewing-room  and  kitchen,  instead  of  only 
hands  and  feet.  In  lieu  of  lounging  about  with 
her  familiars,  and  bemoaning  the  short-comings 
of  her  servants,  or  petulantly  "carrying  the 
war  into  Africa,"  or  Ireland,  as  tho  case  may  be, 
slio  will  get  good  girls,  and  show  them  how  her 
house  is  to  bo  kept,  treat  them  properly,  and 
have  from  them  reliable  service. 

"Rut  what  about  the  children?  Will  they 
not  suffer  loss  when  the  mother  is  in  business  ?  " 
If  sho  shares  her  husband's  work,  he  can  find' 
time  to  teach  the  children,  and  to  be  taught  by 
them  the  sweet  lessons  he  needs  to  learn.  She 
will  have  better  health  when  she  is  conscious  of 
helpful  ability,  —  a  genuine  bit  of  mind-cure 


''t>^-''>mmmmmmmMmmmm 


104 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOJIAN. 


that  would  drive    peevishness,  scolding,  and 
nervousness,  out  of  many  a  household.    She 
would  be  in  condition  to  give  them  the  best  of 
care  when  that  duty  came  to  hand.    Best  of  all, 
she  would  know  how  to  keep  them  in  a  weU- 
ordered,    Christian    home.     Instead  of  being 
pushed  a^ide  by  a  father  who  has  come  to  know 
nothing  but  his  ledger  and  prices  current,  they 
would  have  the  noble  companionship  of  one 
who  had  taken  time  to  turn  carefully  the  deli- 
cate leaves  of  their  shy,  half-written  thought, 
and  a  mother  who  was  capable  of  cont- oiling 
herself  and  them;   and  whose  strong,  loving 
hand  would  lead  them  grandly  upward  to  the 
better  things. 

"  Then  comes  the  statelier  Eden  back  to  man, 
Then  springs  the  crowning  race  of  humankind." 

Girls  ought  to  be  trained  to  the  practical 
work  of  bread-winning,  whether  they  are  to 
marry  poor  men,  or  rich  men,  or  if  they  do  not 
marry  at  all. 

It  is  a  shame  to  our  common  sense  if  we 


I'lf^itiilriiii 


AN. 

scolding,  and 
lusehold.  She 
em  the  best  of 
I.  Best  of  all, 
lera  in  a  well- 
;ead  of  being 
come  to  know 

current,  they 
nship  of  one 
fully  the  deli- 
tten  thought, 
3f  cont-olling 
itrong,  loving 
pward  to  the 


^o  man, 
imanklnd." 

the  practical 

they  are  to 

■  they  do  not 

sense  if  we 


BREAD-WINNINQ. 


105 


shrink  from  having  it  known  that  we  work  for 
wages.  How  much  better  are  we  than  our 
fathers,  brothers,  or  husbands?  They  make 
and  sell  hats,  or  wagons,  shoes,  books  or  lec- 
tures. What  if  we  make  or  sell  bonnets  or 
dresses  ?  I  fail  to  discern  the  difference  in  the 
shades  of  respectability. 

It  is  certainly  a  shame  to  us,  if  we  are  Chris- 
tians. Our  Master  was  the  foster  son  of  a  car- 
penter. His  apostles  were  working  men.  One 
day  He  girt  himself  with  a  towel,  and  washed 
their  feet.  That  was  the  work  of  the  lowest 
menial,  —  about  like  our  boot-blacking.  He 
said,  "What  I  do,  ye  know  not  now;  but  ye 
shall  know  hereafter."  His  glance  swept  the 
centuries.  He  saw  the  time  when  contempt  of 
plain,  hard  work  would  be  the  bane  of  the  civ- 
ilization. Under  a  false  social  system,  to  be 
obliged  to  earn  one's  own  living,  would  be  con- 
sidered a  hard  necessity  i  and  exemption  from 
work,  good  fortune.  He  did  His  best  to  save 
us  from  that  false  view  of  life :  and  when  we 
get  our  souls  filled  with  His  thought,  and  our 


i  i 


11 


13 

Ik 


106 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


lives  in  harmony  with  His  purpose,  we  find  our- 
selves lifted  to  His  nobler  plane. 

Bishop  Taylor  says  a  great  deal  about  the 
strength  of  missions  being  increased  by  the 
heroism  of  self-support.  Be  his  theories  correct 
or  faulty,  wo  know  that  every  individual,  man 
or  woman,  has  to  choose  between  being  a  pro- 
ducer or  a  consumer,  —  between  self-support 
and  parasitism.  Every  student  of  human  de- 
velopment echoes  Carlyle's  injunction  :  "  Be 
no  longer  a  chaos,  but  a  world  —  even  a  world- 
kin.  Produce  I  Produce  1  Were  it  but  the 
pitifulest,  infinitesimal  fraction  of  a  product, 
produce  it,  in  God's  name  !  " 

Have  you  read  Drummond's  description  of 
the  degeneration  of  the  Nauplius  into  the  Saccu- 
lina.  It  sets  out  in  life  with  the  outfit  of  a 
respectable  crustacean  ;  but  "  the  taint  of  para- 
sitism is  in  its  blood."  It  fastens  upon  the  her- 
mit crab,  and  "  boards  entirely  at  the  expense 
of  its  host,  who  supplies  it  liberally  with  food 
and  shelter,  and  everything  else  it  wants.  Its 
swimming  feet  drop  off,  and   the  animal  set- 


1 


N. 

,  we  find  our- 

al  about  the 
asecl  by  the 
jories  correct 
Lividual,  man 
being  a  pro- 
self-support 
if  human  de- 
letion :  "  Be 
ven  a  world- 
e  it  but  the 
f  a  product, 

lescription  of 
ito  the  Saccu- 
e  outfit  of  a 
taint  of  para- 
upon  the  her- 
the  expense 
Uy  with  food 
it  wants.  Its 
e  animal  set- 


BREAD-WINNING. 


107 


ties  down  for  the  rest  of  its  life  as  a  parasite." 
It  was  punished  by  Nature  for  "  its  disregard  of 
evolution,"  and  "  its  evasion  of  the  great  law  of 
work.  Instead  of  being  an  independent  or- 
ganism, high  in  structure,  original  in  action, 
vital  with  energy,  it  deteriorated  into  a  torpid, 
and  all  but  amorphous  sac,  confined  to  perpetual 
imprisonment,  and  doomed  to  a  living  death. 
Two  main  causes,"  continues  Drummond,  "are 
known  to  the  biologist,  as  tending  to  induce  the 
parasitic  habit.  These  are :  first,  the  tempta- 
tion to  secure  safety  without  the  vital  exercise 
of  faculties ;  and,  second,  the  disposition  to  find 
food  without  earning  it." 

Are  there  not  multitudes  of  women  who  per- 
mit the  caste  restrictions  of  society  to  crowd 
them  into  "  the  parasitic  habit,"  and  who  pay 
the  fearful  penalty  of  loss  of  vital  ability  in  con- 
sequence ? 

Worse  even  than  that,  —  there  are  great 
numbers  who,  when  the  arm  on  which  they 
leaned  for  support  gives  way,  sink  in  their  help- 
lessness   in  the  quicksands  of  sin.    Tens  of 


108 


THE   POTENTIAL    VVOiMAN. 


thousands  perish  every  year  in  the  streets  of 
our  great  cities  who  might  have  been  saved  to 
purity,  happiness  and  lieaven,  if  they  had  been 
given  the  means  of  independent  support.  Left 
suddenly  in  tiieir  helpless  respectability,  with' 
only  untrained  hands  with  which  to  fight 
the  wolf  from  the  door,  and  with  devils  clutch- 
ing at  the  weak,  trembling  fingers  every  hour! 
Duchalet  says :  "  Of  three  thousand  lost  women, 
only  thirty  had  an  occupation  that  could  sup- 
port them.  Fourteen  hundred  had  been  driven 
into  that  horrid  life  by  destitution."  Death  or 
dishonor  1     Starvation  or  hell  I    What  a  choice  1 

It  would  be  well  if  the  noble  White  Cross 
Army,  in  its  grand  rescue  work,  would  labor  to 
prevent  the  terrible  wrongs  it  is  set  to  right  by 
inducing  all  young  women  to  pledge  themselves 
against  dependence  and  parasitism  ;  and  all  for 
His  dear  sake  who  gave  them  capabilities  for 
,  high  endeavor  and  achievement. 

Among  the  charities  of  women  for  women, 
there  are  none  more  worthy  of  aid  than  those 
that  aim,  by  industrial  training,  to  give  girls  the 
means  of  self-support. 


»arti8BWtww» 


1 


MAN. 


BUEAD-WINNING. 


109 


1  the  streets  of 
!  been  saved  to 
'  they  had  been 
;  support.  Left 
ectability,  with' 
vhieh  to  fight 
th  devils  clutch- 
ers  every  hour! 
land  lost  women, 
that  could  sup- 
liad  been  driven 
ion."  Death  or 
What  a  choice  1 
le  White  Cross 
,  would  labor  to 
set  to  right  by 
sdge  themselves 
3m ;  and  all  for 
capabilities  for 


Every  woman  ought  to  be  able  to  take  care 
of  herself.  Every  one  ought  to  be  so  conscious 
of  the  dignity  of  her  life  in  its  union  with  the 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that  she  will  be  above  the 
petty  snobbishness  that  looks  down  upon  hon- 
est, hard  work.  Each  should  have  the  mind  of 
Him  who  "  took  upon  Himself  the  form  of  a 
servant,"  and  who,  "  though  He  was  rich,  yet 
for  our  sakes  became  poor,  that  we,  through 
His  poverty,  might  become  rich."  Each  should 
seek  wealth  of  thought,  affluence  of  soul,  the 
imperishable  riches  that  will  abide  after  the 
stars  have  faded,  and  the  heavens  have  been 
rolled  together  as  a  scroll. 


nen  for  women, 

aid  than  those 

to  give  girls  the 


CHAPTER  X. 


TALKING. 


Philologists  may  wrangle  as  they  will,  yet 
it  is  generally  believed  that  articulate  speech  is 
a  gift  of  God.  Like  thought,  or  musical  abil- 
ity, it  is  -riven  in  rudimentary  form  ;  its  recipi- 
ent must  develop  it,  and  bring  it  to  proper  dig- 
nity and  strength. 

There  are  differences  of  linguistic  endow- 
ment, as  there  are  differences  in  musical  talent. 
One  may  become  a  fine  talker  with  less  effort 
than  another ;  yet  no  one  can  talk  to  good  pur- 
pose, unless  he  stirs  up  the  gift  that  is  within 
him.  There  are  people  who  have  left  off  try- 
ing to  learn  to  talk,  before  acquiring  even  a 
respectable  skill  in  the  expression  of  thought. 
Grant  was  so  slow  of  speech  that  he  tells  us 
with  the  utmost  naivete,  how  he  suffered  on  a 
public  occasion  when  a  congratulatory  address 
was  made  to  him,  to  which  he  feared  he  would 

110 


:».-«ri.i4 


.M 


TALKING. 


Ill 


they  will,  yet 
alate  speech  is 
r  musical  abil- 
rm  ;  its  recipi- 
to  proper  dig- 

juistic  endow- 
musical  talent, 
vith  less  effort 
k  to  good  pur- 

that  is  within 
ve  left  off  try- 
uiring  even  a 
)n  of  thought, 
lat  he  tells  us 

suffered  on  a 
latory  address 
ared  he  would 


have  to  reply ;  and  how  the  torture  was  re- 
lieved when  the  people  began  to  shake  hands, 
tlius  making  it  unnecessary  for  hira  to  say  any- 
thing. He  thought  out  the  campaigns  that 
saved  the  Union  and  spoke  in  the  victories  of 
Vicksburg  and  Richmond.  We  would  wish, 
more  earnestly  that  he  had  learned  to  talk,  if  he 
had  not  used  those  last,  death-smitten  months  in 
giving  the  world  the  great,  honest,  generous 
thought  that  filled  his  silent  soul.  Many,  of 
gracious,  richly-freighted  spirits  have  been  held 
in  dumbness  through  the  dolorous  centuries, 
because  their  speech  was  timid  altid  gentle. 
When  such  are  taught  and  encouraged  to  speak, 
we  shall  see  the  dawn  of  a  Better  Day. 

The  gift  of  speech  has  been  bestowed  alike 
upon  men  and  women;  but  women  have  not 
been  permitted  the  scope  of  theme,  nor  the  prac- 
tice that  men  have  reserved  to  themselves.  It 
has  not  been  thought  safe  for  them  to  discuss 
politics,  philosophy,  literature  or  science,  lest 
they  become  "  strong  minded."  On  account  of 
this  restriction,  they  may  sometimes  say,  with 


112 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


all  the  more  persistent  fluency,  what  is  allowed 
them.  If  a  set  of  musical  people  were  kept 
forever  at  a  few  little  jingles,  they  might  come 
to  rattle  them  off  with  uncomfortable  celerity. 
Men  not  unfrequently  make  painfully  apparent 
the  fact  that  women  are  restricted  to  few  sub- 
jects of  conversation,  by  dropping  into  "  small 
talk "  when  tliey  address  them,  as  if  speaking 
to  children  or  minors. 

Women,  like  all  who  have  not  had  a  fair  field, 
have  fallen  into  diplomacy,  carrying  by  favor 
points  that  they  are  not  permitted  to  win  by 
direct  argument.  They  understand  that  noth- 
ing pleases  an  egotist  more  than  to  have  one 
listen  well  to  his  talk.  So  they  say,  "Yes," 
and  "  No,"  and  keep  up  a  gentle  jingle  of  the 
small  bells  of  assent  and  applause,  hoping  to 
gain  by  pleasing  what  they  are  not  allowed 
honorably  to  claim ;  their  hearts,  meanwhile, 
hungering  for  the  mental  food  of  excellent, 
ennobling  speech.  Consequently  their  talk 
often  has  merely  the  flash  and  gleam,  the 
shimmer  and  ripple  of  the  shallows,  lacking 


.-^>ii^'jJA.u,J4»»uuJWJmiMii>jaMPCT^ 


mmmtJ' 


AN. 

rhat  is  allowed 
)le  were  kept 
jy  might  come 
rtable  celerity. 
ifuUy  apparent 
ed  to  few  sub- 
ig  into  "  small 
as  if  speaking 

bad  a  fair  field, 
ying  by  favor 
ted  to  win  by 
and  that  noth- 
n  to  have  one 
y  say,  "Yes," 
3  jingle  of  the 
use,  hoping  to 
•e  not  allowed 
;3,  meanwhile, 
of  excellent, 
;ly  their  talk 
id  gleam,  the 
allows,  lacking 


TALKING. 


113 


tlio  sweep  of  the  cataract,  and  the  fullness  of 
the  sea. 

A  bad  man  sneers  at  a  woman's  tongue,  be- 
cause lie  has  never  known  the  sweet  and  serious 
words  of  a  sister,  the  tender  counsel  of  a 
mother,  the  whispered  confidences  of  a  wife 
who  has  surrendered  all  for  the  love  of  him. 
The  men  of  the  nobler  Christian  chivalry  are 
above  such  paltriness. 

The  wonder  is  that  women  talk  as  well  as 
they  do,  since  they  are  not  allowed  their  full 
share  of  practice.  They  do  hardly  a  thousandth 
part  of  the  public  speaking.  It  is  not  they 
who  talk  against  time  at  national  expense,  set- 
tling public  affairs,  as  Lowell  says  of  the  black- 
birds, "in  windy  congresses."  It  is  not  they 
who  turn  the  exchange  into  the  veriest  Babel 
by  their  unearthly  howls  and  shrieks.  They 
are  rarely  called  upon  for  speech-making  on 
occasions  of  special  interest.  They  do  but 
little  preaching  or  college  lecturing.  Tliey  are 
obliged  to  keep  silence  in  most  of  the  churches. 
It  is  not  their  voices  that  are  heard  at  a  dinner 


"-'-■yaag 


1^ 


imti.  «iiii.A- 


114 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAK. 


party,  or  above  the  rattle  of  the  cars.  Whore 
they  have  been  permitted  to  create  a  social 
order  that  has  made  fine  talk  possible  to  them, 
as  in  the  palmy  days  of  the  French  ualouy  they 
have  reigned  as  queens  of  society ;  and  under 
their  rule,  conversation  has  become  one  of  the 
fine  arts,  making  the  free  interchange  of  ex- 
alted thought  a  most  delightful  pleasure., 

Women  can  talk,  and  they  ought  to  learn 
to  talk  well.  They  train  the  children,  and 
make  the  home,  the  most  important  of  all  en- 
terprises, demanding  the  clearest,  steadiest 
thinking.  Clear  talking  is  usually  necessary  to 
clear  thought.  If  one  talks  by  jerks  anc} 
hitches,  starting  out  with  a  sentence  that  rat- 
tles off  like  an  empty  wagon,  but  that  has  to 
be  drawn  up  and  started  back  a  half  dozen 
times  for  a  forgotten  part  of  the  load,  you  may 
be  sure  his  thinking  is  quite  as  uncertain  as  his 
speech. 

It  costs  thousands  of  dollars  to  teach  young 
ladies  music ;  yet  it  would  be  an  infinitely  finer 
an     more  useful  accomplishment  for   them  to 


K^tniut-JMHigvauui 


Mfta 


iN. 

cars.  Where 
•eato  a  social 
jible  to  them, 
;h  Holon^  they 
Y ;  and  under 
110  one  of  the 
ihange  of  ex- 
aasure.^ 
ight  to  learn 
children,  and 
mt  of  all  en- 
S8t,  steadiest 
'  necessary  to 
)y  jerks  an4 
euce  that  rat- 
t  that  has  to 
a  half  dozen 
load,  you  may 
icertain  as  his 

)  teach  young 

nfinitely  finer 

for   them  to 


TAr-lvIN(!. 


115 


siicak  well  (heir  own  vernacular.  If  you  can  ren- 
derskillfuUyone  of  Chopin's  intricate  polonaises, 
or  Beethoven's  grand  Hyini)honies,  your  effort 
may  be  iindoi-stood  l)y  u  few  cultured  people ; 
hut  you  need  clear  thought,  simply  and  directly 
expressed,  that  you  may  be  understood  by 
yourself  and  your  friendw.  You  cannot  be 
reliably  truthful  unless  you  state  things  plainly 
to  yourself.  If  wo  have  careless  and  inac- 
curate habits  of  speech,  wo  may  play  rhetori- 
cal tiicks  ui)on  ourselves,  even  in  our  ap- 
proaehcs  to  God,  and  so  our  piety  may  rest  upon 
an  unsound  basis.  The  love  of  friends  must 
be  short-lived,  unless  there  is  among  them  a 
free  and  honest  interchange  of  thought. 

To  8j)eak  well,  one  must  know  the  meaning 
and  grammatical  illations  of  words;  and  in 
these  days  of  many  books  and  cheap  education, 
he  is  surely  to  blame  who  does  not  learn  to  use 
his  own  language  correctly.  It  would  save  a 
world  of  misunderstandii>gs,  if  we  would 
always  say  just  what  we  mean,  and  not  some- 
thing else.     We  must  speak  so  as  to  give  sensi- 


'fe*-; 


110 


TIIK   rOTRNTIAL  WOMAN. 


ble  people  pleasure.  I  need  not  warn  you 
uf'iiinst  iniinucri.sina,  loudiu'SH,  coarHcrieHS  of 
voice  or  words,  the  giggling  Imbit,  tlio  Auduciiv 
Diiiig-yer-cyea  style,  ns  set  forth  by  Mrs.  Stowe, 
offending  good  taato  by  its  lack  of  modcHty  ;  the 
Hinipering  and  affected,  the  slangy,  the  haughty, 
the  ostentatious;  your  own  common-sense  pro- 
tests against  all  these  faults.  If  it  has  not 
done  so,  it  nuiy  take  severe  discii)liuo  to  bring 
you  up  where  you  can  see  that  by  them  you 
hedge  up  your  own  way. 

A  woman  ought  to  talk,  as  a  real  lady  always 
dresses,  siujply,  neatly,  and  with  refined  taste ; 
her  tcmes  should  be  quiet,  even,  sure  and 
steady.  So  much  for  the  mechanical  part. 
Now  for  the  matter  :  she  must  "  read  much,"  as 
Seneca  says,  "  but  few  books."  Few  and  the 
best,  wasting  no  time  on  that  which  is  shallow 
and  trashy,  —  only  so  can  she  gather  material 
for  intelligent  conversation.  Going  through  a 
good  book  is  like  walking  in  a  garden  of  flow- 
ers ;  even  if  you  bring  away  not  one  blossom, 
you  will  carry  its  fragrance  on  your  garments. 


ntai 


<ibntiiWvtii»w^'iajBWB>«' — 


N. 

)t  warn  you 
loarHtMienH    of 

tlio  Auduciii 
r  Mrs.  Stowo, 
inotloHty  ;  the 

the  Imuglity, 
lon-seiiHO  i)ro- 
[  it  luiM  not 
lino  to  bring 
by  them  you 

1  lady  always 
refined  taste ; 
311,  sure  and 
hanical  part, 
•ad  much,"  as 
Few  and  the 
ich  is  shallow 
ither  material 
lUg  through  a 
irden  of  flow- 
one  blossom, 
Dur  garments. 


TALKING. 


117 


massasKeeimi^  '"nr^ssmmsf 


IJut  ill  tliat  garden  of  Hiiir<!8,  —  a  iioblo  vol- 
iiiiie,  —  you  must  use  [)eii(!il  and  (Mimniiniiilaco 
liook,  HO  as  to  enrich  your  own  thought  with 
that  which  was  j)hiiited  for  that  very  purpose. 
After  all,  in  talking,  as  in  everything  else, 
the  motive  is  the  mainsi)riiig  of  character.  To 
talk  well,  it  is  necessary  that  the  motive 
prompting  our  Bi)eecli  bo  right  and  pure ;  and 
we  can  be  sure  of  that  only  as  it  is  cleansed  by 
the  blood  of  Christ.  Only  when  wo  know  that 
it  is  wliiter  than  snow  througli  faith  in  Iliin, 
can  wo  bo  sure  that  we  use  this  gift  of  llis 
simply  for  His  glory.  We  must  consecrate  it 
to  Him,  determining  never  again  to  try  to  im- 
press people  witli  our  own  good  qualities  or 
attainments;  never  another  word  shall  pass  our 
lips  to  cause  any  one  a  throb  of  unnecessary 
pain  ;  never  a  syllable  will  we  utter  in  violation 
■  of  that  love  described  by  Paul  in  the  thirteenth 
chapter  of  Corinthians.  Wo  will  bo  "swift  to 
hear,  and  slow  to  speak";  always  gentle, 
always  kind.  H  we  will  say  :  "Never  a  word  of 
gossip  or  enmity  shall  ever  pass  my  lips,  uoth- 


118 


THE  POTENTIAL   WOMAN. 


ing  to  give  a  needless  pang  to  any  human  soul, 
but  rather  that  which  is  kind  and  helpful,"  we 
may  talk  to  some  purpose,  and  to  God's  glory. 

The  Pentecostal  tongues  of  fire  were  an 
object  lesson,  showing  that  the  world  is  to  be 
conquered  for  Christ  through  Divine  truth, 
uttered  by  human  lips,  that  have  been  touched 
by  hallowed  flame. 

There  were  women  in  that  upper  room,  and 
the  "'Miord  says  of  the  Baptism  of  Power: 
"  It  sat  upon  all  of  them ;  and  they  were  all 
filled  with  the  Holy  Ghost,  and  began  to  speak 
with  other  tongues  as  the  Spirit  gave  them 
utterance."  Peter  said :  "  This  is  that  which 
was  spoken  by  the  prophet  Joel,  '  I  will  pour 
out  of  my  Spirit  upon  all  flesh,  and  your  sons 
and  your  daughters  shall  prophesy.  On  my 
servants  and  on  my  handmaidens  I  will  pour 
out  in  those  days  of  my  Spirit,  and  they  shall 
prophesy.' " 

Philip,   the   evangelist,  had  four  daughters, 
virgins,  which  did  prophesy. 

On  account  of  the  corruptness  of  the  Corin 


j^m^mimiBttmiiitsmmiSmmm 


A.N. 


TALKING. 


119 


Y  human  soul, 
1  helpful,"  we 

God's  glory. 

fire  were  an 
porld  is  to  be 
Divine  truth, 

been  touched 

per  room,  and 
m  of  Power: 
they  were  all 
egan  to  speak 
it  gave  them 
is  that  which 
'  I  will  pour 
nd  your  sons 
s^.  On  my 
3  I  will  pour 
id  they  shall 

ir  daughters, 

of  the  Corin 


thians,  and  the  fear  that  even  converted  men 
among  them  had  not  lost  nil  memory  of  the 
abominable  slums  of  licentiousness  out  of  which 
Christianity  had  fished  them,  Paul  directed  that 
women  among  them  who  prayed  and  prophesied 
should  cover  their  heads.  In  the  same  Epistle 
he  defines  prophesying  as  speaking  "  unto  men 
to  edification,  exhortation,  and  comfort." 

When  the  Great  Apostle  ordered  women  to 
"keep  silence  in  the  churches,"  adding  that  it 
was  "a  shame  for  them  to  speak  in  the  church," 
he  gave  them  an  injunction  applicable  only  to 
their  land  and  time.  As  our  Lord  said  about 
the  old,  easy  divorce  laws  of  the  Hebrews,  — 
enactments  the  best  that  could  be  made  for  peo- 
ple in  their  low  grade  of  civilization,  they  were 
given  on  account  of  the  hardness  of  the  peo- 
ple's hearts.  He  could  no  more  teach  them 
the  higher  truth,  than  a  professor  of  mathe- 
matics could  give  arithmetic  scholars  the  form- 
ulae of  trigonometry.  He  could  lay  down  gen- 
eral principles,  that  could  be  developed  into  the 
higher  teaching,  as  soon  as  they  were  able  to 


iK!faeawn;ieff3jBg»iBygifeafp."^^ 


120 


THE  POTENTIAL   WOMAN. 


receive  it,  like  that  saying  of  Paul:  "There  is 
neither  male  nor  female,  but  ye  are  all  one  in 
Christ  Jesus." 

Christianity  could  not  at  once  overturn  social 
customs.       Neither     Christ    nor    His  apostles 
gave  one  clear,  definite  utterance  against  slav- 
ery.    The   slavery  of .  their  time   was  of  the 
most  cruel  and  barbarous  type.     For  example  : 
Epictetus  was  the  slave  of  a  Roman.    He  was 
a  man  of  genius,  and   taught  his   master  the 
Stoical  philosophy.    To  test  the  power  of  his 
theories,  his  master  had  both  legs  of  his  slave 
teacher     broken   This  incident  illustrates  the 
brutal,  irresponsible  character  of  the  servitude 
of  that  day;  yet  the  apostles  felt  the  useless- 
ness  of  an  attempt  at  emancipation,  and  held 
their  peace.    Paul  was  often  quoted  in  defense 
of  our  own  Southern  slavery,  because  he  sent 
Onesimus  back  to  his    master,  and  enjoined 
upon  slaves    generally    the   duty  of   faithful 
obedience. 

The  bulk  of    the  world's  teaching  is  done 
before  children  are  ten  years  old ;  and,  of  ne- 


-' ^^yBsasistisxfs&ssseSBisssfm 


Bnamgmeme 


N. 


TALKING. 


121 


I :  "  There  is 
'e  all  one  in 

erturn  social 
Hla  apostles 
against  slav- 

was  of  the 
'or  example : 
m.    He  was 

master  the 
ower  of  his 
of  liis  slave 
ustrates  the 
le  servitude 

the  useless- 
a,  and  held 
i  in  defense 
use  he  sent 
id  enjoined 
of   faithful 

ing  is  done 
and,  of  ne- 


cessity, by  women.  Yet  when  women  began  to 
teach  in  public  schools,  the  "stupid  good  peo- 
ple "were  alarmed,  lest  it  was  in  violation  of 
the  Pauline  injunction :  "  I  suffer  not  a  woman 
to  teach." 

If  other  Scriptures  had  been  wrested  out  of 
their  natural  interpretation,  and  taught  in  their 
bald,  false  literalism,  as  haVe  been  those  on  the 
Christian  use  of  a  woman's  tongue,  ministers 
would  all  have  had  to  give  up  drinking  water, 
and  take  only  wine.  For  does  not  Paul,  in  his 
letter  to  Timothy,  the  typical  pastor,  say: 
"  Drink  no  longer  water,  but  use  a  little  wine, 
for  thy  stomach's  sake,  and  thine  often  infirmir 
ties  "  ?  And,  indeed,  the  enemies  of  total  absti- 
nence are  not  slow  to  avail  themselves  of  this 
apostolic  advice,  as  well  as  of  the  silence  of 
the  Book  on  the  theme  that  they  oppose. 

But  shall  women  preach  ?  Certainly,  if  God 
calls  them  to  preach.  He  cannot  make  a  mis- 
take. He  is  not  the  author  of  confusion. 
But  will  it  not  subvert  the  existing  social 
order  ?    If  the  existing  social  order  is  not  in 


<-ciX!fiSti'^t^t-:^»jr^f  -  ■■ 


'i-"'.-i* ;;•.',-„  .k*V-5i 


122 


THE  rOTEXTIAL  WOMAN. 


I 


harmony  with  the  Divine  phm,  it  will  have  to 
be  subverted.  Will  it  not  make  havoc  with 
domestic  relations  and  duties?  It  did  not 
seem  to  do  so  in  the  case  of  Susannali  Wesley, 
Avhom  the  learned  Adam  Clarke  pronounced 
"  an  able  divine,"  and  j^et  who  held  her  nine- 
teen children  to  a  regimen  as  firm  as  that  of 
West  Point,  though,  so  gentle  and  tender  that 
the  same  wise  man  writes  of  them:  "Tiiey 
had  the  reputation  of  bei'"'  the  most  loving 
family  in  the  County  of  Lincoln." 

Catherine  Booth  has  solved  the  same  prob- 
lem. Hardly  Spurgeon  himself  is  a  better 
preacher,  or  has  a  wider  influence  than  she; 
yet  her  nine  children  are  so  loyal  to  her  and 
her  work,  they  seem  to  think  there  is  only  one 
thing  in  the  world  worth  the  doing :  that  is,  to 
get  everybody  to  Christ  as  soon  as  possible. 

"  I  am  sorry  I  can't  hear  your  mother  preach 
to-morrow,"  I  said  to  her  son,  as  handsome  and 
manly  a  young  Englishman  as  ever  a  mother 
was  proud  of. 

"Indeed,    I    regret    it,"    he  replied,  as  he 


y 


IN. 

will  have  to 
3  havoc  with 
It  did  not 
iinah  Wesley, 
!  pronounced 
lield  her  nine- 
m  as  that  of 
1  tender  that 
era :     "  Tliey 

most  loving 

3  same  prob- 
is  a  better 
ce  than  she ; 
1  to  her  and 
e  is  only  one 
y :  that  is,  to 
possible, 
other  preach 
mdsonie  and 
er  a  mother 

ailed,  as  he 


TALKING. 


123 


tiii-'Mi'-li'iwii'iiTiW*?*  T^^-r^fciteiS"^ 


handed  me  to  my  car.  "  It  is  a  rare  privilege 
to  hear  her  preach  the  Gospel." 

Quaker  women  have  never  found  the  ques- 
tion a  dillicult  one.  They  have  always  been 
free  to  obey  "  the  Inner  Voice  "  ;  and  there  are 
no  lovelier  women  on  the  planet,  than  those 
same  gentle  Friends,  with  their  free  step  and 
well-poised  heads. 

If  one  believes  herself  called  of  God  to  public 
work,  she  must  "wait  on  the  Lord"  till  He 
speaks  clearly  and  distinctly.  Then  she  must  sot 
about  the  matter  with  no  question  of  its  proprie- 
ty. God  could  not  possibly  lead  one  to  do  an 
improper  thing.  If  the  call  is  genuine,  she 
will,  no  doubt,  have  a  high  ideal  of  the  service 
she  ought  to  render,  and  a  humility  that  will 
make  her  deeply  distrustful  of  her  own  ability. 
She  will  have  to  steer  her  little,  tilting  boat,  be- 
tween Scyllaand  Charybdis.  Without  the  self- 
distrust,  she  will  fail  through  coarseness  and  a 
lack  of  reliance  on  God.  With  it,  she  will  run 
great  risk  of  utter  discouragement.  She  need 
not  hope  to  convince  others  of  hei  call.     "  Vox 


124 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


Dei  "  will  not  be  "  vox  popuU."  Through  false 
Biblical  interpretation  the  prejudices  of  the 
majority  of  the  Lord's  servants  will  bristle  in 
her  path  like  an  abatis;  and  she  will  soon  learn 
that  she  cannot  argue  down  a  prejudice.  She 
may  as  well  take  the  advice  of  good,  wise  old 
Sojourner  Truth:  "What's  de  use  o'  niakin' 
such  a  fuss  about  yer  rights  ?  Why  dun  ye  jes' 
go  'long  an'  take  em?" 
Am-ora  Leigh  says:  — 

"  And  woman,  —  if  anotlier  sat  In  sight, 
I'd  wliisper:   '  Soft,  my  sister,  not  a  word  I 
By  spealcing,  we  prove  only  we  can  spealc, 
Wbicli  lie,  tlio  man  there,  never  doubted;  what 
He  doubts  is,  whether  we  can  do  the  thing 
Witli  decent  grace  we've  not  yet  done  at  all. 
Now  do  it.    Bring  your  statue.    You  have  room. 

There  is  no  need  to  speak. 
The  universe  shall  henceforth  speak  for  you, 
And  witness,  she  who  did  this  thing  was  bora 
To  do  it,  —  claims  her  license  in  her  work.'  " 

Like  Moses  in  Midian,  God's  best  ministers 
have  had  to  put  forth  the  hand  upon  the  mount 
of  testing,  and  take  by  the  tail  the  terrible  ser- 


ggjfc'r^i.'iaiiWtyiilBIHBB'P'' 


LN. 

rhrough  false 
idices  of  the 
will  bristle  in 
i^ill  soon  learn 
ejudice.  Sbe 
ood,  wise  old 
ase  o'  niakin' 
ly  duu  ye  jes' 


In  sight, 

word  I 

peak, 

bted;  what 

thiug 

a  at  all. 

I  have  room. 

for  you, 
was  born 
work.' " 

}est  raioisters 
ion  the  mount 
e  terrible  ser- 


TALKINO. 


125 


. 


pent  of  certain  failure.  They  have  cried  to 
the  Lord :  "  O,  my  Lord  I  I  am  not  eloquent, 
neither  heretofore,  nor  since  Thou  hast  spoken 
unto  Thy  servant;  for  I  am  slow  of  speech, 
and  of  a  slow  tongue."  They  have  held  back 
from  the  work  till  they  have  heard  the  Lord 
say:  "I  will  be  with  thy  mouth,  and  teach 
thee  what  thou  shalt  say."  Sometimes,  as  in 
the  case  of  D.  L.  Moody,  the  officiary  of  the 
church  have  informed  them  that  they  are  mis- 
taken. God  could  not  have  blundered  so  egre- 
giously  as  to  set  them  at  such  work.  The  only 
way  for  them,  in  that  Golgotha  of  crosses,  is  to 
make  it  a  simple  question  between  God  and  the 
soul,  and  follow  where  Christ  leads,  though 
they  go  as  Esther  went  before  the  king,  say- 
ing, "  If  I  perish,  I  perish." 

Having  settled  the  matter  of  the  call,  you 
need  prayerfully  to  c(  nsider  the  preparation 
for  service.  You  must  not  depend  upon  the 
novelty  of  a  woman's  public  speaking  to  hold 
the  attention  of  the  people.  Indeed,  so  many 
■vomen  are  speaking  now,  that  is  quite  worn  off. 


t. 


I 


126 


THE  POTENTIAL   WOMAX. 


Nor  upon  emotional  appeals  to  tbo  sensibilities ; 
people  cannot  live  and  grow  robust  on  custards 
and  whipped  cream  You  must  study  to  show 
yourself  approved  workmen,  that  need  not  bo 
ashamed.  The  mines  of  thought  are  as  free  to 
women  as  to  men.  They  must  learn  to  delve. 
One  trouble  with  women  in  the  past  has  been, 
they  have  bad  to  use  so  much  strength  in 
breaking  through  the  hedges  with  wluch  preju- 
dice has  fenced  them  in,  that  they  have  hud 
but  little  heart  or  leisure  left  for  the  digging 
out  of  thought  with  which  to  instruct  and  help 
their  hearers.  There  is  no  excellence  without 
labor.  In  these  days,  and  in  this  land  of  many 
books  and  schools,  they  who  will  not  work 
mentally,  must  work  physically,  among  the 
scattered  and  starving  on  the  frontier. 

God  saves  souls  by  the  foolishness  of  preach- 
ing, but  the  very  best  is  foolish  enough.  There 
is  one  book  which  you  must  study  most  care- 
fully and  constantly.  You  must  get  out  of  the 
Bible  the  bulk  of  what  you  say  to  people  for 
their  soul's  help.     Daniel  Webster,  who  was  no 


iN. 


TALKING. 


127 


Q  sensibilities ; 
st  on  custards 
study  to  show 
i  need  not  bo 
are  as  free  to 
earn  to  delve. 
past  has  been, 
1  strength  in 
1  which  preju- 
ley  have  had 
ir  the  digging 
;ruct  and  help 
lence  without 
land  of  many 
'■ill  not  work 
,  among  the 
tier. 

3ss  of  preach- 
^ugh.  There 
dy  most  care- 
jet  out  of  the 
to  people  for 
,  who  was  no 


saint,  only  a  statesman,  is  said  to  liave  read  it 
through  once  a  year  for  mental  stimulus.  You 
must  go  to  it  as  soldiers  go  to  an  arsenal,  for 
weajjons  and  ammunition.  You  can  claim 
God's  blessing  upon  its  use,  as  you  cannot  hope 
to  do  upon  the  utterance  of  your  own  opinions. 
The  Lord  says :  "  So  shall  my  word  be  that  go- 
eth  forth  out  of  my  mouth ;  it  shall  not  return 
unto  me  void,  but  it  shall  accomplish  that 
which  I  please;  and  it  shall  prosjier  in  the 
thing  whereto  I  sent  it." 

God,  who  has  chosen  tlie  weak  things  of  this 
world  to  confound  the  things  that  are  mighty, 
will  use  the  simple  utterances  of  any  sincere. 
Spirit-taught  soul.  In  the  State  of  Maine,  a 
few  years  ago,  he  brought  a  whole  village  to 
Himself  through  the  word  of  an  idiot  who  could 
only  rap  at  each  door  and  ask :  "  What  will 
you  do  when.  Eternity  comes?"  If  we  are 
moved  by  a  fervent  desire  to  save  souls  from 
eternal  death,  we  may  be  used  of  God  mightily, 
and  we  need  not  lack  the  very  best  furnishing 
for  that  service  while  we  can  read  God's  Word, 
and  commit  it  to  memory. 


^%J£'Mi^^^'i^j^*"'R^W'^- 


CHAPTER  XT. 


ECONOMY. 


You  have  often  hcfird  that  old  English  prov- 
erb :  "  A  penny  saved  is  twopence  earned,"  and 
that  one  that  has  buzzed  over  tlie  oraes  of 
bonny  Scotland,  making  her  cold,  rocky,  par- 
simonious soil  bud  und  blossom  as  tho  rcfse, 
"Mony  a  little  makes  a  micklo." 

In  Africa,  though  the  land  bears  by  hand- 
fuls,  and  bread  grows  on  trees,  the  people  are 
impoverished  because  they  are  wasteful.  In 
stern,  hard  New  Englaj.a,  they  grow  thrifty 
and  rich  by  economy. 

Tlie  first  few  steps  of  the  upward  climbing 
are  the  heaviest.  A  working-man  saw  that  it 
would  be  a  fine  thing  to  have  a  few  dollars  at 
work  for  him,  bringing  in  their  little  percent- 
age, whether  he  was  asleep  or  awake;  so  he 
determined  to  get  them  while  his  muscle  was  at 
full  strength.     After   he  had  succeeded,  and 

128 


.  MiL*(«i*JBSw*wSSsi(a.iirt-.»;i 


■••Mii^B^&BymiSuui^iix^iiiH^^&B^'' " ' 


ECONOMV. 


129 


English  prov- 
enriied,"  and 
tlie   oraea  of 
1,  rocky,  par- 
as tho  rose, 

ars  by  hand- 
lio  people  are 
wasteful.  In 
grow  thrifty 

ard  climbing 
1  saw  that  it 
)W  dollars  at 
ittle  percent- 
wake  ;  so  he 
nnscle  was  at 
jceeded,  and 


hud  a  neat  little  sum  with  which  to  buy  a  cot- 
tiigo,  to  save  rent,  and  make  a  i)lace  where  ho 
could  turn  every  spare  minute  into  an  added 
comfort,  a  less  provident  friend  asked  him  how 
ho  njado  his  money.  » I  did  not  make  it,"  he 
replied,  "  I  saved  it." 

I  hope  my  book  will  bo  read  by  many  a  girl 
who  works  hard  for  other  people.  I  shall  be 
very  thankful  if  the  Lord  Avill  help  mo  write 
something  that  will  assist  her  in  solving  the 

problem  upon  which  all  Americans  are  busy, 

how  to  get  on  in  the  world. 

Perhaps  you  are  at  service  in  somebody's 
kitchen.  You  began  at  a  dollar  and  a  half,  or 
two  dollars  a  week.  You  have  added  thought 
to  your  muscle,  making  yourself  neat  and  care- 
ful, quick  and  skillful,  till  you  are  worth 
three  dollars.  If  you  add  constantly  to  your 
reliability  and  helpfulness,  your  employers  can 
afford  to  pay  you  four  or  five,  and  treat  you 
with  the  consideration  that  your  ability  de- 
mands. A  lady  said:  "I  can  get  feet  and 
hands  for  two  dffllars  a  week,  but  brain  costs 


J<i'^'ii^4*'-v<«fc^-"^>9"<7 


tm^AntimJtm 


d-    -. 


180 


TUB  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


more."  I  think  Hho  might  well  havo  afEor<lctl 
fivo  dollars  for  musclo  und  braia  with  skill  und 
conHciciicGt 

"  Yes ;  but  when  I  havo  skill  enough  to  make 
myself  worth  fivo  dollars  a  week  at  housework, 
I  can  get  as  much,  or  more,  at  something  that 
is  more  agreeable."  Possibly;  but  you  must 
not  forget  that  in  the  more  agreeable  work,  you 
will  havo  to  board  yourself  and  dress  more  ex- 
pensively, so  that  your  net  profits  will  be  less, 
while  your  social  gains  will  bo  iiardly  appreci- 
able. Furthermore,  general  housework,  skill- 
fully done,  will  bo  a  bettor  preparation  for 
keeping  tidy  and  comfortable  the  little  cottage 
where  you  hope,  some  day,  to  help  make  a 
home,  than  factory  or  shop-work,  where  you 
learn  to  do  quickly  and  well  only  one  thing. 

We  will  say  you  now  receive  three  dollars  a 
week.  Allowing  two  weeks  for  a  visit  to  some 
friends  and  a  little  change,  that  will  give  you  a 
hundred  and  fifty  dollars  a  year  beside  your 
board.  Fifty  dollars  ought  to  buy  your  cloth- 
ing.   You  can  lay  aside  a  hundred  a  year  by 


avo  ttfEonlnd 
ith  skill  and 

)UgIi  to  mako 
t  housework, 
mothing  that 
it  you  must 
»lo  work,  3'ou 
I'ess  more  ex- 
\  will  bo  less, 
n'dly  appreci- 
lework,  skill- 
iparation  for 
little  cottage 
help  make  a 
:,  where  you 
)ne  thing, 
tiree  dollars  a 

visit  to  some 
ill  give  you  a 

beside  your 
y  your  cloth- 
ed a  your  by 


ECONOMY, 


181 


careful    economy.    In  ten  years  you   have  a 
thousand,  uiul  luuc-h  more,  if  you  huvo  gone  on 
Incroasiiirr  the  valuo,  and  raising  tlio  price  of 
your  service.     A  thousand  dollars  will  earn  for 
you  from  sixty  to  sevcnty-fivo  dollars  a  year. 
You  can  save  by  buying  good,  plain,  substau- 
tial    clothing,   instead    of    the    cheap,    flimsy, 
showy  finery,  that  make  you  appear  less,  rather 
than  more,  like  a  lady.     You  are  poor  in  purse, 
and  you  do  not  want  even  strangers  to  think 
you  other  than  what  you  are ;  and  the  fact  is, 
it  is  quite  useless  to  attempt  to  disguise  your 
social  standing.     The  only  thing  is  to  make  it 
honorable  by  patient,  honest  effort. 

Perhaps  you  are  a  teacher,  and  ten  months  of 
the  year  you  receive  f^'y  dollars  a  month  for 
your  work.  That  gives  you  five  hundred  a 
year;  minus  yoxir  tenth  to  benevolence,  — and 
no  Christian  can  pn  less  than  that,  — two  hun- 
dred for  your  boa  id,  and  a  hundred  for  your 
clothing  and  inciiUuitals,  leaving  you  a  hundred  - 
and  fifty  to  la}  aside.  Invest  that  carefully, 
and  you  will  soon  have  enough  to  buy  a  little 
liome. 


MMi^iSiiiMii£^&^i«Mw%.- 


132 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


In  this  matter  of   economy,  remember  that 
when  you  consecrated  all  to  the  Lord,  you  gave, 
also,  the  little  money  you  had,  or  might  have. 
It  is  His  now,  and  you  have  no  right  to  spend 
so  much  as  five  cents,  unless  you  are  sure  the 
Owner  would  approve,   if  He   were   standing 
visibly  beside  you.    With  His  blessing  you  can 
solve  Burns'  problem,  and  "make  two  guineas 
do  the  work  of  five";  but  you  cannot  bo  sure 
of  His  blessing  unless  you  do  as  He  would 
have  you,  as  well  as  you  know,  in  even  the 
little  things.    He  will  probably  make  it  clear  to 
you  that  you  are  not  to  run  in  debt,  if  you  can 
*  possibly  avoid  it,  for  He  has  said  that  the  bor- 
rower is  the  servant  of  the  lender. 

You  cannot  afford  to  buy  "on  credit";  for 
whoever  takes  even  a  small  risk  by  "  trusting  " 
you,  will  pay  himself  accordingly.  Pay  as  you 
go  is  a  prime  principle  of  economy. 

If  your  father  is  well-to-do,  and  you  have  a 
comfortable  home,  you  are  at  a  disadvantage  in 
tliis  matter.  The  best  you  can  do  is  to  get  »  an 
allowa^ce,"  — a  reasonable  sum  for  your  ex- 


S.N. 

jraember  that 
orcl,  you  gave, 
r  micrlit  have, 
right  to  spend 
1  are  sure  the 
vere  standing 
38sing  you  can 
e  two  guineas 
cannot  bo  sure 
as  He  would 
',  in  even  tlie 
lake  it  clear  to 
ebt,  if  you  can 
1  that  the  bor- 

a  credit";  for 
by  "trusting" 
y.    Pay  as  you 

nd  you  have  a 
lisadvantage  in 
.0  is  to  get  "  an 
I  for  your  ex- 


ECONOMY. 


133 


penses,  and  economize  in  its  expenditure. 
Only  so  can  you  learn  to  save  and  invest,  so  as 
to  be  able  to  take  care  of  money  when  it  comes 
to  you,  and  of  yourself  when  it  takes  wings. 

I  know  a  woman  whose  education  in  these 
lines  had  been  neglected  during  her  earlier 
years ;  the  bread-winners  of  the  household 
having  chosen  to  keep  her  in  delicate  ignorance 
concerning  the  outside  world  of  values.  At 
last  her  husband,  a  far-sighted,  close  thinker, 
saw  that  this  was  not  wise.  Women,  left  by 
the  death  of  their  husbands  with  the  entire 
care  of  the  family,  and  with  property  that  they 
are  altogether  incapable  of  managing,  are  at 
the  mercy  of  the  selfish  and  unscrupulous.  He 
said  to  her :  "  You  must  take  the  management 
of  our  investments,  mastering  all  the  details  of 
insurance,  interest,  commissions,  and  all  that, 
till  you  know  how  to  take  care  of  them.  I 
will  give  myself  to  my  professional  work,  and 
in  these  matters  act  only  as  your  adviser."  It 
looked  to  her  like  a  serious  undertaking, — 
something  like  trying  to  learn  to  manage  an 


I 


184 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


Australian  boomerang;  but  she  soon  acquired 
the   little   necessary   knowledge,   and  both   of 
them  felt  safer  for  the  future,  just  as  one  does 
who  has  a  clear  title   to   his  home.     She  was 
surprised  by  one  fact  that  came  to  her  knowl- 
edge in  this  new  line.     Women  are  the  owners 
of  a  great  deal  more  property  than  most  people 
think.     She  bought  a  home  in  the  city  where 
they  lived.     When  the  transfer  of  the  property 
came  to  be  made,  she  found  that  it  belonged  to 
a  woman.     There  was  a  mortgage  on  the  place, 
and  that  was  owned  by  a  woman.     Afterward 
she  made  an  investment  in  a  mortgage  on  a 
home,  and  that  was  owned  by  the  wife  of  the 
man  with  whom  she  was  dealing.     Later,  she 
bought  some  city  lots,  and  they  belonged  to  a 
woman.      She   sold  the    first   place  that  she 
bought,  and  that  went  to  a  woman.    She  con- 
cluded that  since  women  in  this  country  hold 
so  much  property,  they  had  better  learn  how  to 
manage  it  themselves  ;  then  if  their  fathers  and 
husbands  die,  they  will  not  be  at  the  mercy  of 
lawyers  and  "  sharpers." 


ECONOMY. 


186 


on  acqiiirefl 
nd  both  of 
as  one  does 
5.    She  was 

her  knowl- 

the  owners 
most  people 
)  city  where 
he  property 
belonged  to 
n  the  place, 

Afterward 
tgage  on  a 
wife  of  the 

Later,  she 
longed  to  a 
e  that  she 
She  con- 
)uutry  hold 
■dvn  how  to 
fathers  and 
le  mercy  of 


Every  minute  of  consecrated  time  represents 
opportunity  for  good  to  some  soul.  I  know  a 
woman  who,  in  the  days  of  her  childhood  and 
poverty,  was  obliged  to  do  all  the  knitting  for  a 
family  of  five,  and  that  in  "  odd  moments,"  as 
her  thrifty  mother  said.  The  hours  must  be 
given  to  some  more  profitable  industry;  but 
when  there  were  ten  or  fifteen  minutes  of 
delay,  waiting  for  her  father  and  the  boys  to 
come  to  dinner,  or  for  the  teakettle  to  boil,  or 
any  similar  hindrance,  the  knitting  must  be 
caught  up;  and  so  in  those  bits  of  time  that 
might  have  been  wasted,  she  clothed  the  feet  of 
the  household.  I  saw  her  a  few  years  ago,  and 
I  found  she  had  not  lost  her  habit  of  keeping 
"  catch-up-work."  She  was  finishing  a  portiere, 
that  she  had  made  of  bits  of  silk,  the  pieces 
averaging  an  inch  and  a  half  by  three  in  size, 
the  whole  thing  several  square  yards,  and  the 
entire  work  done  in  less  than  a  year,  and  all 
while  she  was  giving  people  advice  and  direc- 
tion about  some  benevolence  in  which  she  was 
engaged.    After  looking  at  that  pretty  lecture 


fiiiiiiPirtBii 


'  iiiiiiiiiiiMilll 


186 


TUE  POTENi'IATi  WOMAN. 


on  saving  the  minutes,  I  was  not  surprised  to 
know  that  in  the  little  intervals  of  more  serious 
service  and  study,  she  had  picked  up  a  knowl- 
edge of  Italian  and  Spanish.  One  thing  w;is 
certain,  she  had  not  wasted  any  time  in  useless 
talk,  or  silly  reading.  She  had  made  every 
moment  count  its  utmost. 

Solomon  says :  "  In  the  multitude  of  words 
there  wanteth  not  sin."  There  certainly  want- 
eth  not  waste  of  time  in  the  much  talk  inci- 
dent to  the  interminable  "  visits  "  that  girls  are 
often  found  making.  It  is  not  an  uncommon 
thing  for  one  of  them  to  "  spend  the  summer  " 
with  a  friend ;  and  there  is  nothing  to  show  for 
it  but  measureless  talk.  Enough  time  spent  to 
have  learned  a  language,  or  looked  into  a  sci- 
ence, and  nothing  gained  but  endless,  confiden- 
tial comments  on  other  people,  guesses  about 
the  future,  and  similar  chit-chat. 

But  we  need  rest.  We  cannot  endure  "  all 
work  and  no  play."  Take  the  motco  that  was 
on  Goethe's  ring:  "Without  haste, and  without 
rest,"  or  that  of  Wesley:  "Always  in  haste, 


ST. 

surprised  to 
more  serious 

up  a  knowl- 
le  tliiug  w;is 
ne  iu  useless 
made  every 

de  of  words 
•tainly  waut- 
ch  talk  inci- 
that  girls  are 
a  uncommon 
he  summer  " 
to  show  for 
ime  spent  to 
d  into  a  sci- 
jss,  confiden- 
aesses  about 

endure  "all 
)tco  that  was 
,and  without 
ys  in  haste, 


iM 


JiBCTWfBff 


ECONOMY. 


137 


but  never  in  a  hurry,"  —  meaning  about  the 
same  thing.  Cast  your  care  all  on  the  Lord,  so 
that  you  can  always  sleep  well.  Take  care  of 
your  digestion,  so  that  you  can  eat  well.  Tri.  t 
Him  to  whom  your  physical  life  is  consecrated 
to  keep  you  fresh  and  vigorous ;  and  you  can 
find  the  needed  rest  in  change  of  occupation. 

Time  has  a  moneyed  value.  A  N*ew  York 
oculist  gave  me  twenty  minutes  one  day,  and 
charged  me  ten  dollars, — fifty  cents  a  minute. 
There  are  singers,  who  have  added  so  much  to 
their  natural  gifts  by  culture,  that  they  can  get 
a  th  asand  dollars  an  evening  for  their  services 
—  over  eight  dollars  a  minute.  Your  time'  has 
value,  if  you  are  good  for  anything  in  any  line 
of  work.  If  an  idle  talker  were  to  come  in  and 
ask  you  to  give  him  twenty-five  cents  in  ex- 
change for  a  given  amount  of  his  chatter,  you 
would  be  indignant ;  yet  if  you  are  not  careful 
he  will  take  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  dollar's 
worth  of  your  time,  and  render  you  no  equiva- 
lent whatever. 

But  one  must  be  social.    Yes,  iu  a  sensible, 


mmmsmmmm 


138 


THE  POTENTIAL   WOMAN. 


economical  way.  I  confess  I  think  Dame 
Fasiiion  has  had  a  spasm  of  sense  in  regulating 
social  life  in  Paris  and  its  imitators.  A  lady 
comes  in  from  the  country,  where  she  has  been 
gathering  up  health,  and,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  do- 
ing something  worth  while,  though  we  are  not 
always  sure  on  that  point,  and  she  remains  in- 
visible till  she  sends  out  her  cards.  Even  after 
that  she  is  understood  to  "not  at  home,"  ex- 
cept on  her  "  day  to  receive."  This  seems  to 
be  a  tacit  recognition  of  the  fact  that  a  wom- 
an's time  is  worth  something,  and  it  remains 
with  us  to  make  it  so  valuable  that  it  will  not 
be  filched  by  every  idler. 

Wbmen  have  great  powers  of  endurance,  but 
they  do  not  use  them  economically.  Think  of 
the  President  of  the  United  States  having  to 
spend  a  half  hour  every  morning  over  "  bangs  " 
and  "  back  hair,"  standing  an  hour  with  weary 
muscle  and  throbbing  back  while  a  modiste 
improves  his  form  by  drawing  it  in  at  the  waist, 
till  a  good,  full  breath  is  impossible,  puffing  it 
out  where  grace  of  contour  requires  an  enlarge- 


VN. 

think  Dame 
in  regulating 
tors.  A  lady 
she  has  been 
be  hoped,  do- 
;h  we  are  not 
e  remains  in- 
.  Even  after 
it  home,"  ex- 
rhis  seems  to 
that  a  wom- 
id  it  remains 
lat  it  will  not 

idurance,  but 
y.  Think  of 
es  having  to 
iver  "  bangs  " 
r  with  weary 
le  a  modiste 
at  the  waist, 
lie,  puffing  it 
$3  an  enlarge- 


ECONOJIY. 


139 


nienl,  compressing  his  toes  till  they  arc  as 
numb  as  sticks,  and  tilting  him  on  high  heels. 
I  wonder  if  he  would  do  miracles  of  hard  work 
under  those  conditions.  No,  no ;  if  one  hopes 
to  render  good  service,  physical  strength  must 
bo  carefully  conserved. 

Women  are  usually  prodigal  of  nervous  force 
for  various  reasons,  but  mainly  because  it  is 
tlieir  role.  They  shriek  at  the  sight  of  a  spider 
because  it  is  expected  of  them  to  do  so;  be- 
sides it  is  agreeable  to  somebody  whom  they 
desire  to  please,  to  play  Lord  Protector.  They 
cultivate  "feelings"  rather  than  self-control, 
because  it  is  usually  regarded  womanly  to  in- 
dulge in  emotional  extravagance. 

A  man  buries  his  wife,  and  he  is  in  his  office 
the  day  after  the  funeral,  a  shade  paler,  and 
with  a  weed  on  liis  hat,  —  that  is  all.  Nobody 
doubts  the  depth  of  his  sorrow,  unless  he 
parades  his  grief;  then  they  are  unfeeling 
enough  to  fancy  that  he  is  trying  to  move  some 
of  the  girls  to  pity.  A  woman  is  widowed, 
and,  though  she  is  not  expected  to  burn  herself 


140 


THE   POTKNTIAL  WOMAX. 


on  her  husband's  funeral  pyre,  as  in  ludux,  she 
must  shut  herself  up  for  a  year,  smother  her- 
self in  crape,  and  wear  mourning  as  long  as 
she  lives  —  unless  she  marries  again.  Thus 
society  puts  a  premium  on  masculine  self-con- 
trol and  feminine  "  feeling." 

Emotional  waste  cheapens  a  woman's  sensi- 
bilities. One  tear  on  a  brave  man's  cheek  \a 
worth  a  "flood"  of  hers.  Women  can  prac- 
tice self-control  if  ilieyk  will.  Tliey  can  "  bite 
back  tlie  pain  with  a  cry  of  self-scorn." 

The  wife  of  D'lsraeli,  going  with  him  to  Par- 
liament, where  ho  was  to  make  an  important 
speech,  had  her  finger  crushed  in  the  closing  of 
the  carriage  door.  The  pain  was  terrible ;  but 
so  afraid  was  she  of  taking  his  thought  from 
the  effort  he  was  about  to  put  forth,  that  she 
wrapped  her  hand  in  her  handkerchief,  and 
kept  her  composure  perfectly,  till  he  had  done 
his  work.  If  j*^  will  help  forward  the  work  of 
our  blessed  Lord,  we  can  certainly  put  aside 
our  sensibilities  and  our  sensitiveness.  By  His 
grace  we  can  be  brave  and  strong. 


ffiWroMM«r]li::iM;j^iS]j^ 


13  in  India,  slio 
ir,  smother  lier- 
ing  a.s  long  us 
again.  Tluis 
tculine  self-con- 
woman's  sensi- 
man's  cheek  is 
men  can  prac- 
riiey  can  "  bite 
jcorn." 

itli  him  to  Par- 
e  an  important 
11  the  closing  of 
IS  terrible;  but 

I  thought  from 
forth,  that  she 

dkerchief,  and 

II  he  had  done 
rd  the  work  of 
linly  put  aside 
eness.    By  His 


ECONOMY. 


141 


Wo  want  to  learn  economy  of  thinking. 
Many  an  hour  is  wasted  in  reveries,  day-drcums, 
castle-building.  Many  think  by  fits  and  starts; 
llicir  thought  is  as  aimless  in  its  movement  as 
the  Hitting  of  a  butterfly's  wing.  Of  a  morn- 
ing they  have  a  half-dozen  things  to  settle,  no 
one  of  which  is  very  important  in  itself,  but 
upon  their  general  adjustment  depends  the 
character,  which  is  no  light  matter.  One  must 
tliink  in  straight  lines  to  master  these  things, 
for  an  Emerson  says :  — 

"  Things  aro  in  tiie  tiaddie, 
And  ride  manlcind." 

Now  the  thought  flies  at  one  for  a  half  min- 
ute, and  then  the  woman  chatters  a  little  to  a 
familiar  about  another,  guesses  at  a  third,  and 
so  on,  round  and  round,  till  the  drift  of  circum- 
stances, or  a  stronger  will,  settles  them  all. 

A  strong,  well-trained  thinker,  knows  that 
notliing  is  trivial,  since  the  weightiest  results 
may  hinge  upon  matters  unimportant  in  them- 
selves.    So  one  thing  after  another  is  taken  up, 


MommmmmmmK 


142 


THE  rOTKNTIAL  WOJIAX. 


thought  through,  tlio  pros  and  eons  all  gathered 
in,  iiml  tho  matter  settled,  not  by  prejudice,  or 
likes  and  dislikes,  hut  by  tho  dicta  of  common 
sonso.  She  who  learns  thus  to  master  tho  few 
things,  will  soon  bo  ruler  over  many,  —  u 
queen,  an  empress. 

Thought  is  always  at  a  premium.  Most  peo- 
ple have  thoughts  enough  to  make  them  rich,  if 
they  would  save  them,  and  coin  them  into 
usable  expression.  A  memorandum  book  and 
a  bit  of  pencil  in  tho  pocket  Avill  help  even  ono 
who  is  not  specially  brilliant  to  a  wealth  of 
thought.  A  friend  of  mine  went  abroad  a  few 
years  ago,  and  to  make  the  most  of  her  tour, 
she  determined  to  note  every  thought  excited 
by  what  she  saw.  Ai-med  with  a  scratch-book 
and  purplo  pencil,  she  made  her  comments  on 
everything,  from  the  blue-skirted  policeman  in 
Liverpool  to  the  villainous  beggars  on  Mt. 
Vesuvius.  Her  notes  have  been  copied  into  a 
blank-book,  and  now  she  can  live  over  her  jour- 
ney any  day  she  chooses. 

So  little  are  most  of  us  given  to  piety,  one 


I 


AN. 


ECONO^IV. 


143 


US  all  gatliorod 
ly  prejudice,  or 
itiv  of  cominoii 
master  the  few 
or   many,  —  u 

m,  ]\Iost  pco- 
:c  them  ricli,  if 
)iii  them  into 
lum  book  and 
lielp  even  one 

0  a  wealth  of 
t  abroad  a  few 
it  of  her  tour, 
lought  excited 
a  scratch-book 

comments  on 

1  policeman  iu 
jgars  on  Mt. 
I  copied  into  a 

over  her  jour- 

to  piety,  one 


woidd  think  wo  were  in  little  danger  of  waste 
in  Hpiritual  exercises ;  yet  wo  full  into  very 
slovenly  religious  habits  if  we  arc  not  careful. 
Wo  must  repent  of  our  misdoings.  Tho  re- 
membrance of  them  must  bo  grievous;  but 
when  we  renounce  them  all  with  no  mental 
reservation,  letting  them  bo  laid  upon  our 
Great  Substitute,  we  ought  to  have  nothing 
more  to  do  with  them.  If  God  has  said  IIo 
will  remember  them  no  more,  wo  ought  to  bo 
willing  to  forget  them.  When  He  justifies  us 
freely  wo  a.e  in  the  relation  to  Him  that  wo 
would  have  been  in  if  wo  had  never  sinned. 
If  a  beggar  becomes  a  prince,  is  there  any 
merit  in  his  exhibiting  tho  rags  of  his  beggarli- 
ness  ?  Let  him  rather  use  all  his  strength  in 
making  himself,  if  possible,  the  noblest  princo 
of  tho  realm. 

Many    people    pray    altogether    too    much. 
Their 

"SelMovo  is  still  a  Tartar  mill, 
For  grinding  prayers  alway." 

But  ought  we  not  to  pray  without  ceasing  ? 


y^ff  mn'raiiii' ijit jiiitMn liiiji  I  liiiiiBMiiMlililiii^^ 


TUB  POTRNTIAL  WOMAN. 

Yes ;  but  wo  must  not  fill  our  cars  so  with  our 
own  clatter  that  wo  cannot  licar  the  Lord  when 
IIo  speaks  to  us.  Kather  let  ua  "hear  what 
God  tho  Lord  will  speak ;  for  Ho  will  speak 
peace  unto  His  people."  Let  ua  learn  in  quiet- 
ness nr.d  nsauranco  to  ask  and  receive.  He 
says:  "Hearken  diligently  unto  nie,  and  oat 
that  which  is  good,  and  let  your  soul  delight  it- 
self in  fatness." 


\N. 


r8  80  with  our 
he  Lord  when 
n  "hear  what 
lie  will  speak 
learn  in  quict- 
receivc.  lie 
->  nie,  and  oat 
}oul  delight  it- 


CHAPTER  Xir. 


3ELl<'-KIWI'K(rr. 


All  people  desire  tlio  respect  of  otliers.  Wo 
brush  our  luiir,  and  fasten  our  collars,  that  oth- 
ers may  think  well  of  us ;  and  that  can  hardly 
bo  regarded  out  of  ihe  way,  for  the  social  har- 
monica dei)cnd  upon  mutual  respect. 

Our  Saviour  warns  against  tho  excess  of  this 
desire  of  preference.  Ho  denounces  those  who 
seek  tho  chief  seats  in  tho  synagogue,  and  to  be 
called  "Rabbi."  He  says:  "How  can  yo  be- 
lieve which  receive  honor  one  of  another,  and 
seek  not  tho  honor  that  comoth  from  God 
only?" 

Titles  are  habitual  expressions  of  respect. 
They  were  abolished  in  the  Great  Republic  by 
way  of  emphasizing  belief  in  the  primal  principle 
that  all  are  born  free  and  equal.  Nevertheless, 
men  cling  tenaciously  to  any  little  shred  that 
may  have  caught  upon  their  names.    Let  a 

146 


146 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


man,  by  auy  accident,  be  dubbed  "Doctor," 
"Professor,"  "Colonel,"  or  "Judge,"  and  it 
will  not  be  wise  thereafter  for  one  who  asks  a 
favor  of  him  to  neglect  the  sobriquet.  We  all 
laugh  at  the  insignificance  of  these  small  hon- 
ors. We  pass  our  little  jokes  at  the  expense  of 
"  Doctors  "  who  are  not  learned,  "  Professors  " 
who  never  taught,  "  Colonels  "  who  never  saw  a 
battle,  "  and  "  Judges "  who  never  sat  on  the 
bench;  yet  when  we  need  to  propitiate  the 
mighty  men  of  renown,  we  are  sure  to  catch  the 
censer  and  give  it  a  swing. 

And,  with  all  our  dignities,  what  pigmies  we 
are,  to  be  sure !  Compare  the  mightiest  of  us 
with  the  great  king,  Xerxes,  of  Persia.  J2schy- 
lus  calls  him  "the  Susa-born  god."  His  gar- 
ments blazed  with  diamonds.  His  pa^  ice  was  a 
hundred  and  eighty  feet  high,  and  it  stood 
upon  a  platform  a  thousand  feet  square.  He 
feasted  with  every  luxury  tens  of  thousands  of 
his  subjects  for  six  months.  He  gave  an  entire 
race  into  the  hand  of  his  grand  vizier  for  ex- 
termination ;  and  then,  by  a  nod,  sent  that  same 
potentate  to  tlie  gallows. 


L 


[AN. 

bed  "Doctor," 
uclge,"  and  it 
ne  wlio  asks  a 
iquet.  We  all 
ese  small  hou- 
the  expense  of 
,  "  Professors  " 
ho  never  saw  a 
/er  sat  on  the 
propitiate  the 
ire  to  catch  the 

iat  pigmies  we 
nightiest  of  us 
ersia.     ^schy- 
od."     His  gar- 
!i3  pa^  ice  was  a 
and   it  stood 
}t  square.     He 
if  thousands  of 
gave  an  entire 
I  vizier  for  ex- 
sent  that  same 


SELF-RESPECT. 


147 


Away  back  in  those  days  of  marvelous  macr. 
nificenco,  that  Persian  vizier  discovered  th°e 
usual  human  desire  to  monopolize  all  honors 
within  reach,  when  he  allowed  his  life  to  be  em- 
bittered by  the  lack  of  the  salaams  of  one  He- 
brew  captive. 

Even  in  America,  men  are  as  reluctant  to 
share  as  to  abate  their  honors.  For  instance, 
when  a  man  has  studied,  and  begun  to  practice 
medicine,  he  regards  himself  entitled  to  be  rec- 
ognized  and  addressed  as  a  doctor;  it  helps  ad- 
vertise  his  business. 

Yet  he  is  chary  enough  about  granting  the 
same  recognition  to  a  woman,  though  she  has 
studied  as  hard,  practised  as  much,  and  needs  as 
certainly  to  have  her  business  advertised. 

The  Salvation  Army  are  the  only  people  who 
are  indiscriminate  in  the  application  of  titles 
calling  men  and  women  captains  and  colonels 
pro  merito,  without  distinction  of  sex ;  but  their 
only  honors  are  mobs  and  imprisonments. 

It  is  nbt  only  to  gratify  a  desire  for  respect, 
but  from  a  sense  of  incompetency,  that  men 


h^mSl^^i- 


I 


148 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


seek  to  monopolize  our  scant  distinctions.  Usu- 
ally, when  one  holds  his  head  specially  high, 
you  may  know  that  there  is  a  quaking  in  his 
fortifications.  He  is  trying  to  brace  against  a 
fear  that  he  is  an  utter  and  outright  failure. 
Those  who  are  assured  of  their  own  worth  are 
not  on  the  watch  for  every  indication  of  respect 
from  others. 

In  this  matter,  the  maxim  of  our  Lord  holds 
good  :  "  To  him  that  hath,  shall  be  given ;  and 
from  him  that  hath  not,  shall  be  taken  away 
even  that  which  he  hath;"  but  that  is  the 
world's  usual  law  of  giving. 

To  make  sure  of  the  respect  of  others,  we 
must  begin  by  respecting  ourselves. 

In  the  good  old  days  of  Haroun-al-Rasehid, 
as  the  story  goes,  there  was  a  philosopher  at 
court  who  was  banished  fifteen  times,  because 
he  had  always  on  his  lips  some  word  that  dis- 
pleased the  courtiers ;  and  he  was  recalled  fif- 
teen times,  because  it  was  found  every  time 
that  he  could  get  along  perfectly  well  without 
the  court.    When  the  world  finds  that  our  self- 


ctions.  Usu- 
[>ecially  high, 
aaking  in  his 
ace  against  a 
tright  failure, 
wn  worth  are 
tion  of  respect 

iir  Lord  holds 
be  given;  and 
»e  taken  away 
it  that  is  the 

of  others,  we 
es. 

uun-al-Rasehid, 
philosopher  at 
times,  because 
word  that  dis- 
ras  recalled  fif- 
nd  every  time 
ly  well  without 
Is  that  our  self- 


1 


SELF-RESPECT. 


149 


respect  is  so  sure  and  sound  that  we  can  get  on 
quite  comfortably  without  its  expressions  of 
regard,  it  immediately  becomes  anxious  to  be- 
stow them  upon  us.  I  repeat :  if  you  would  be 
respected,  respect  yourself. 

Though  specially  sensitive  to  the  approbation 
or  disapproval  of  others,  women  have  every- 
thing to  deprive  them  of  proper  self-apprecia- 
tion. Most  of  the  people  on  the  jjlanet  are  in 
doubt  whether  or  not  women  are  altogether  hu- 
man. ];  '^hina,  —  and  nearly  one-half  the  race 
are  Ch  e, — their  immortality  is  seriously 
questioiieu ;  and  also  in  India,  where  the  Vedas 
teach  that  their  existence  as  women  is  a  punish- 
ment for  some  atrocious  sins  in  a  former  life. 
In  our  own  country,  there  are  tens  of  thousands 
quite  as  degraded  as  are  Oriental  women ;  — 
the  squaw,  bending  under  the  load  of  papooses 
and  camp  equipage,  while  her  high  and  mighty 
lord  rides  before  her  in  his  painted  and  be- 
feathered  pomp ;  the  Alaskan,  in  her  icy  hut,  and 
icier  servitude ;  the  New  Mexican,  in  her  semi- 
Christian  bondage ;  the  Mormon,  taught  in  the 


I'-^aBaiii' . . 


150 


TnK  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


harem  that  she  can  have  a  soul  only  through 
the  bounty  of  her  matrimonial  lord  and  master, 
—  what  is  there  in  the  life  of  any  of  these  to 
make  them  regard  themselves  as  other  than 
blots  on  the  face  of  creation  ? 

In  Catholic  lands,  it  is  not  much  better; 
though  a  woman  rivals  God  as  an  object  of 
worship. 

A  typical  young  Pariaienne  told  a  friend  of 
mine  that  she  was  about  to  be  married.  "  In- 
docul  I  didn't  know  that  you  were  in  love 
with  anybody."  "  Oh,  I'm  not.  My  father  has 
arranged  everything.  I  do  not  know  Monsieur, 
but  he  has  plenty  of  money.  When  my  father 
told  me,  yesterdajr,  he  let  me  know  about  a  half 
dozen  others  who  had  asked  for  me.  One  of 
them  —  but,  we'll  say  nothing  about  that  now. 
It  must  go  the  way  my  father  says.  A  girl  can 
have  no  mind  of  her  own,  you  know." 

In  a  train  between  Venice  and  Florence  we 
met  an  Italian  girl  of  twenty-two.  Her  English 
was  quite  perfect ;  and  we  found,  in  the  course 
of  conversation,  that  she  could  read  Greek  and 


nly  through 
and  master, 
of  these  to 
other  than 

luch  better; 
n  object  of 

I  a  friend  of 
Lrried.  "  In- 
revG  in  love 
[y  father  has 
iw  Monsieur, 
;n  my  father 
about  a  half 
me.  One  of 
it  that  now. 
A  girl  can 

Florence  we 
Her  English 
a  the  course 
I  Greek  and 


SELF-KESPECT. 


151 


Latin,  French  and  German,  and  she  had  written 
books  of  poetry,  copies  of  which  she  sent  us 
after  we  reached  home.  She  was  travelling 
with  a  duenna.  When  we  separated,  we  gave 
her  our  cards.  She  wrote  her  address  in  ray 
memorandum-book.  "Italian  girls  may  not 
carry  cards,"  she  said,  with  a  lift  of  the  brows 
that  took  the  place  of  a  shrug.  "  We  might  use 
them  improperly,  you  know." 

It  cannot  be  otherwise  than  that  we  have 
a  shadow  of  this  heathenism,  even  upon  our 
Protestant,  American  civilization.  All  men, 
except  the  few  who  belong  to  the  noble  Chris- 
tian chivalry,  think  themselves,  by  birth,  supe- 
rior to  all  women,  and  assume  toward  them  a 
patronizing,  and,  at  best,  a  protecting  air.  It 
flatters  such  men  to  have  women  take  the  "  ivy  " 
role,  and  "  cling  "  to  their  oak-like  importance 
in  tender  helplessness,  and  it  is  not  difficult  to 
induce  women  to  take  that  part.  Of  the  traits 
developed  by  this  maladjustment,  it  would  be 
hard  to  tell  which  is  the  more  harmful,  the 
arrogance  of  one,  or  the  sycophancy  of  the 
other. 


f'T^fiS; 


•^U^SfiSlK  SSS&S6S&SSI^^> 


X, 


152 


THK  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


If  we  would  properly  respect  ourselves,  we 
must  learn  the  intrinsic  dignity  of  our  race. 
Aurora  Leigh  says  :  — 

"  Hnmanity  is  great. 
And,  If  I  wonid  not  rather  pore  upon 
An  ounce  of  con]n]on,ugly,hunian  dust, 
An  artisan's  palm,  or  a  peasant's  brow, 
Unsmooth,  ignoble,  save  to  me  and  God, 
Than  tracli  old  Nllus  to  his  silver  roots, 
Set  it  down  as  weakness,  —  strength  by  no  means." 

Made  in  the  likeness  of  God,  redeemed  by  the 
blood  of  His  Son,  capable  of  being  filled  with 
His  Spirit,  an  eternal  saintship  possible,  a  crown 
and  kingdom  promised,  who  can  measure  the 
greatness  of  the  human  soul?  It  may  be  tram- 
pled in  mire,  like  a  lost  diamond,  or  biiilt  into 
coarse,  common  wall,  like  the  beautiful  scattered 
Greek  marbles,  yet  its  worth  outweighs  the  uni- 
verse. The  merest  scrap  of  outcast  humanity, 
held  in  probation  by  the  Lord,  may  yet  become 
heir  of  all  things.  . 

If  you  are  a  Christian,  you  ought  to  respect 
yourself.    A  child  of  the   King  of  kings,  all 


m&smBs- 


VN. 


ourselves,  we 
of  our  race. 


'eat. 

t, 
■» 
od, 

y  no  means." 

leemed  by  the 
ng  filled  with 
ssible,  a  crown 
measure  the 
may  be  trara- 
,  or  biiilt  into 
tiful  scattered 
'eighs  the  uni- 
ast  humanity, 
ay  yet  become 

ght  to  respect 
of  kings,  all 


SELF-RESPECT. 


153 


things  arc  yours,  for  you  are  Clirist's  and  Christ 
is  God's.  Jesus  saic'  of  one  who  does  the  will 
of  the  heavenly  I  .er,  ie  same  is  my 
mother,  my  sister,  my  brothei.  What  higher 
dignity  could  one  ask  than  that  of  being  a  sister 
of  the  King? 

You  belong  to  a  class  who  were  loyal  to  Him 
when  their  brothers  betrayed  Him.  They  were 
"last  at  the  cross,  and  earliest  at  the  tomb." 
His  glazing  eyes  caught  the  last  ray  of  human 
sympathy  from  a  woman's  face.  His  first  com- 
mission to  proclaim  the  good  news  of  His  resur- 
rection was  given  to  a  woman.  Women  have 
been  His  bravest  and  trustiest  confessors. 
They  are  two-thirds  of  His  Church.  He  gives 
them  the  privilege  of  doing  nine-tenths  of  the 
teaching  that  reveals  His  love. 

When  one  knows  that  she  is  a  princess  of  the 
realm,  she  need  not  care  if  she  passes  unrecog- 
nized through  the  crowd,  or  even  if  she  is  jos- 
tled now  and  then  somewhat  rudely.  She 
knows  that  the  palace  gates  will  swing  wide 
open  before  her,  and  that  the  coronet  and  all 
high  honors  await  her  coming. 


iiwaii«ij»MfiiiiiiiiaifWiiaw 


tissf^ 


154 


THE  POTnNTIAL   WOMAN. 


When  one  has  thia  real  self-respect,  there  is 
an  end  of  shams  and  pretence.  An  English 
duchess  dresses  more  plainly  upon  the  street, 
and  is  far  less  airish,  than  an  American  shop- 
girl. 

Perhaps  the  greatest  harm  that  comes  to  a 
woman  who  fails  to  respect  herself  hecause  she 
is  disfranchised  and  shut  out  from  worldly  hon- 
ors and  emoluments,  may  be  the  trickiness  de- 
veloped in  her  character.  She  cannot  claim  an 
honorable  place  and  standing,  so  she  resorts  to 
small  deceptions  to  win  her  way.  It  is  of  no 
use  for  her  to  speak,  so  she  will  keep  silent,  and 
carry  her  point  by  little  diplomacies.  She  will 
cajole  and  flatter,  and  ask  as  a  favor  for  that 
which  she  knows  to  be  her  own.  She  grows 
crafty,  and  sometimes  she  fails  to  see  just  what 
is  true. 

You  remember  in  the  fable  the  lion  asked  the 
sheep  to  tell  him  if  his  breath  was  disagreeable, 
and  bit  her  head  off  because  she  said  "  Yes." 
He  tore  the  wolf  in  pieces  for  his  falsehood,  be- 
cause he  said  "  No,"  in  answer  to  the  same  ques- 


AN. 

spect,  there  is 

An  English 

>on  the  street, 

mcrican  shop- 

at  comes  to  a 
If  because  she 
n  worldly  hon- 

trickiness  de- 
mnot  claim  an 
she  resorts  to 
'.  It  is  of  no 
eep  silent,  and 
2ies.  She  will 
favor  for  that 
1.    She  grows 

see  just  what 

lion  asked  the 
8  disagreeable, 
e  said  "  Yes." 
falsehood,  be- 
thesameques- 


SELF-RESPECT. 


156 


tion.  When  he  asked  the  fox,  Reynard  replied 
with  his  usual  cunning,  "  Keally,  your  Majesty, 
I  have  such  a  severe  cold  I  can't  smell."  While 
we  despise  the  falseness  of  the  fox,  we  are  in- 
clined to  lay  the  blame  at  the  door  of  the  tyran- 
nical lion.  Observation  shows  us  the  counter- 
part of  this  in  many  a  human  community  and 
household. 

When  Luther  and  his  Katie  stood  beside  the 
remains  of  their  little  daughter,  he  tried  to 
soothe  his  wife's  grief.  "I  know  it  hurts  to 
give  her  up,"  he  said ;  "  but  then,  this  is  a  hard 
world  for  girls." 

Thackeray,  in  his  Becky  Sharp,  portrays  the 
selfish,  unscrupulous  cunning  into  which  one 
may  be  crowded  by  difficult  circumstances. 

Women  are  ridiculed  for  piecing  out  their 
small  personal  cha  eras,  and  making  them  last  as 
long  as  possible,  yet  one  is  thrust  aside  as  "  an 
old  woman"  at  fifty,  while  her  brother,  a  little 
her  senior,  is  "  a  young  man  just  approaching 
his  prime."  She  is  remanded  to  the  chimney 
corner  to  knit  for  her  grandchildren,  while  he 


""'IflBBI 


166 


THE  rOTKNTlAL  WOMAN. 


is  encouraged  to  attempt  his  host,  work.  It  is 
decidedly  unwise  for  her  to  prf)tc8t.  She  must 
have  recourse  to  frizzes  and  furbelows,  luces  and 
illusions,  appeals  for  protection  and  sharp 
devices. 

It  is  a  brave  lady  who  dares  be  thoroughly 
genuine.  It  is  a  grand  woman  who  endures 
patiently,  never  cheating  nor  scolding.  Only 
she  who  truly  respects  herself  can  do  as  Mar- 
garet Fuller  saya,  "Stand  upon  her  feet,  and 
give  her  hand  with  dignity." 

The  honors  that  entitle  one  to  lift  the  head 
come  only  from  above.  A  friend  of  mine  was 
walking  along  a  street  in  New  Orleans  beside 
an  elegant-looking,  college-bred  young  Anglo- 
Saxon  who  had  a  touch  of  African  blood  in  his 
veins.  As  they  were  stopped  by  some  little 
group  of  the  dominant  who  blocked  the  cross- 
walk for  a  moment,  the  spirited  octaroon  was 
stung  by  a  sneer  that  curled  the  lip  of  a 
passer-by.  "  O  my  God  !  "  he  muttered  through 
his  set  teeth,  lifting  his  fine,  dark  face  toward 
the  heavens,  "  Must  I  bear  this  bitter  curse  for- 
ever and  forever  ?  " 


-ni 


work.  It  is 
t.  She  must 
:)W8,  luces  and 

I  and    sharp 

e  thorouglily 
wlio  endures 
Iding.     Only 

II  do  as  Mar- 
ker feet,  and 

lift  the  head 
of  mine  was 
'rleans  beside 
oung  Anglo- 
blood  in  his 
7  some  little 
ed  the  cross- 
octuroon  was 
he    lip  of  a 
:ered  through 
face  toward 
ter  curse  for- 


8ELF-UESPEf;T. 


157 


Poor  fellow  I  He  Raw  only  the  paltry  human 
dignities,  and  he  writhed  under  the  sonao  of 
wrong  and  outrage,  because,  for  no  fault  of  his, 
ho  was  robbed  of  what  ho  knew  to  bo  his  due. 
He  had  never  heard  that  word  of  the  High  and 
Holy  One:  "Him  that  honoreth  Mo,  I  will 
honor." 

By  contrast  with  that  scene,  I  remember  see- 
ing a  colored  washerwoman  lead  a  meeting  at 
one  of  the  religious  watering-places  whore  were 
gathered  many  people  of  culture  and  relinement, 
—  church  dignitaries,  also,  of  no  mean  grade. 
She  was  old  and  ignorant,  a  woman  and  black, 
but  God  was  with  her,  and  none  dared  gainsay 
or  resist  her  word.  It  was  in  demonstration  of 
the  Spirit,  and  with  power.  She  sat  alone  on 
the  platform,  swaying  her  sceptre  over  the  mul- 
titude,—  magnates  and  all,  —  a  crowned  queen, 
honored  of  her  Lord. 

The  real  dignities  are  within  the  reach  of  all. 
The  weakest  in  this  world's  estimation,  have 
the  best  chance,  for  God  hath  chosen  the  weak 
things  to  confovmd  the  things  that  are  mighty. 


'StSHtgiUiiSlim 


158 


TIIK  rOTKNTIAL  WOMAN. 


Our  hunger  for  respect  can  ho  api)ea8ed  only 
by  a  sense  of  tlie  lionor  confetTcd  upon  us  hy 
the  indwelling  Christ.  His  "  well  done  "  ulono 
has  power  to  silence  its  clamor. 

We  may  not  have  association  with  the  refined 
and  elegant.  People  of  intellectual  gifts  and 
attainments  may  i)ass  us  hy,  ignoring  even  our 
presence,  hut,  us  the  Lord's  own,  we  shall  liavo 
an  escort  of  his  "beautiful,  tall  angels."  They 
will  encamp  about  us,  and  deliver  us  in  our 
times  of  peril.  Better  still,  the  Lord  Christ 
himself  will  be  with  us  alway,  even  unto  the 
end  of  the  world. 

One  of  my  friends  had  to  speak  for  the  Lord 
one  day  to  a  large  congregation.  She  bowed 
her  head  in  agonizing  prayer,  so  oppressed  was 
she  by  a  sense  of  her  inability  to  do  the  work 
before  her.  Her  brother,  who  sat  beside  her, 
whispered  in  her  ear  that  word  about  our  S;  - 
iour's  being  strengthened  in  his  terrible  conflic'., 
*'  The  angels  came  and  ministered  unto  Him." 
The  moment  before  that,  she  had  caught  a 
glimpse  of  tlie  mighty  Elder  Brother,  standing 


M<^'m&yifmmmtmfm^pifi'««>»»ifMmm^mmss 


tAN. 

appcftsed  only 
id  upon  us  by 
11  done  "  alono 

'ith  the  refined 
tual  gifts  and 
ring  oven  our 
we  shall  have 
ngels."  Tliey 
/(iv  us  in  our 
i  Lord  Christ 
3ven  unto  the 

Ic  for  the  Lord 
.  She  bowed 
oppressed  was 
}  do  the  woik 
vt  beside  her, 
)out  our  S:  - 
rrible  conflic'., 
I  unto  Him." 
lad  caught  a 
;her,  standing 


ii>s£a> 


r«ijaa«i 


8ELF-UKSPKCT. 


ir)9 


at  her  aide,  and  she  whispered  in  reply  to  the 
word  of  encouragement,  "I  do  not  need  the 
angels,  I  have  their  Lord." 

When  we  know  the  glory  of  His  ever-blessed 
presence,  we  cannot  fail  of  the  quiet,  steady, 
assured  dignity  of  genuine  self-respect. 


\      '  'itsK&issaaii 


sasmmiii^. 


CHAPTER  XIII. 


GETTING    MARRIED. 

No  doubt  you  havo  heard  of  the  young  lady 
whose  father,  on  her  wedding-day,  tried  to  im- 
press her  with  the  importance  of  the  step  she 
was  taking.  "  My  dear  child,"  he  said,  "  it  is 
an  awfully  solemn  thing  to  get  married."  —  "I 
know  that,"  she  replied  ;  "  but  it  is  an  awfully 
solemner  thing  not  to."  Even  in  Christian 
communities  there  are  many  who  seem  to 
think  it  a  great  misfortune,  and  a  mark  of 
spedial  unworthiness,  for  a  woman  to  remain 
unmarried.  In  all  lands,  through  all  the  centu- 
ries, priest  and  ruler  have  held  and  enforced 
that  there  was  but  one  thing  in  life  for  a  wom- 
an ;  and  marriage  to  a  masculine  human  of  any 
sort  whatever  was  better  than  to  stay  single. 

In  India,  it  is  a  disgrace  to  all  the  family  to 
have  a  girl  of  ten  years  not  disposed  of  matri- 
monially. In  America,  Mormon  girls,  hardly 
160     ^ 


[ED. 

the  young  lady 
lay,  tried  to  im- 

of  the  step  she 
"  he  said,  "  it  is 
married."  —  "I 

it  is  an  awfully 
jn  iu  Christian 
'  who  seem  to 
and  a  mark  of 
Oman  to  remain 
fh  all  the  centu- 
1  and  enforced 

life  for  a  wora- 
e  human  of  any 
0  stay  single, 
ill  the  family  to 
posed  of  matri- 
Dn  girls,  hardly 


-^;;Jf'Ta^^'■;^l■'«y"■■^^W'Wy^«<ryr■g^^.,^-/eia^^^^^^ 


GETTING  MARIUED. 


161 


ill  their  teens,  are  sometimes  forced  into  mar- 
riage by  their  friends;  and,  not  unfrequently, 
they  are  given  to  men  old  enough  to  be  their 
grandfathers,  and  who  have  already  a  full 
harem,  and  scores  of  children.  Among  those 
beastly  fanatics,  immortality  is  impossible  to  an 
old  maid.  The  only  chance  that  a  woman  has 
to  live  after  death,  is  to  be  "sealed  in  mar- 
riage" to  some  man  who  will  condescend  to 
call  her  up  that  she  may  be  his  servile  wife 
throughout  eternity. 

Christianity  teaches  the  personal  responsi- 
bility and  immortality  of  women,  and  that  in 
Christ  Jesus  there  is  neither  male  nor  female. 
Thus  it  lifts  from  them  the  absolute  necessity 
of  marriage. 

It  stands  to  reason  that  there  must  be  some 
"old  maids,"  where  monogamy  is  practiced. 
Frontier  exposures,  mining,  seafaring  life,  war, 
and  kindred  masculine  avocations,  kill  off  men, 
and  leave  a  numerical  preponderance  of  women. 

Now  while  I  believe  there  is  nothing  so  good 
or  beautiful  as  a  happy  marriage,  aside  from 


162 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOALA.N. 


the  work  of  God  in  the  soul,  there  are  a  thou- 
sand things  that  may  come  to  a  woman  that 
are  worse  than  being  an  "  old  maid.'"  The 
days  when  it  was  fashionable  to  sneer  at  single 
women,  are  quite  gone  by.  Every  community 
has  its  sweet,  unselfish  "old  maids,"  who  go 
about  nursing  the  sick,  teaching  the  children,, 
lifting  the  loads  from  worn-out  mothers,  and 
shedding  sunshine  right  and  left.  Tliey  are  au 
order  of  perambulatory  priestesses,  who  gather 
in  all  complaints,  heart-aches  and  heart-burn- 
ings, and  bear  them  away  in  silence  to  the 
Lord.  They  are  the  secretaries  and  presidents 
of  the  feminine  benevolences,  and  without  their 
generous  ministrations  the  churches  themselves 
might  go  to  pieces.  Some  of  them  are  doing 
the  grandest  work  that  is  being  done  upon  the 
planet.  They  are  welcomed  and  honored  wher- 
ever they  go;  and  with  their  charming  man- 
ners, independent  "means,"  and  cheering 
speech,  they  are  the  opposite  of  the  queer, 
sharp,  angular,  parasitical,  traditionary,  "old 
maid." 


1         


■wnwifWBiii.       — 


ire  are  a  thou- 
a  woman  that 

maid.'"  The 
sneer  at  single 
ry  community 
aids,"  who  go 
;  the  children,. 

mothers,  and 
They  are  an 
Bs,  who  gather 
nd  heart-burn- 
silence  to  the 
ind  presidents 
I  without  their 
hes  themselves 
lera  are  doing 
done  upon  the 
honored  wher- 
iharming  man- 
and  cheering 
of  the  queer, 
itionary,   "  old 


GETTING  MARRIED. 


163 


Since  marriage  is  not  absolutely  essential  to 
immortality  or  happiness,  usefulness  or  respect- 
ability, one  need  not  break  her  heart  if  it  is  not 
for  her  in  God's  plan.  Let  her  find  some  right 
royal  service  for  the  Master,  make  for  herself  a 
home,  "minister,"  rather  than  "be  ministered 
unto,"  and  she  may  live  a  blessed,  well-rounded 
life ;  and  not  wait,  as  in  Miss  Phelps'  "  Beyond 
the  Gates,"  for  union  with  some  celestial  widow- 
er to  complete  her  happiness,  in  the  land  wliere 
"  they  neither  marry,  nor  are  given  in  marriage." 

I  would  whisper,  however,  in  each  little  crim- 
soning ear,  I  hope  tliere  is  somewhere  in  the 
world  somebody  for  you,  to  whose  life  your 
own  can  be  nobly  and  truly  united ;  for  it  is 
God  who  "setteth  the  solitary  in  families." 
Of  course  you  will  never  "  flirt."  If  I  thought 
you  would,  1  believe  I  would  ask'  you  to  leave 
the  room,  for  I  would  not  care  to  waste  upon 
you  either  thought  or  voice.  We  do  not  regard 
marriage  a  sacrament,  as  Romanists  do,  but  Ave 
know  it  is  quite  too  sacred  a  matter  to  be 
trifled  with,  and  they  who  suffer  their  novel- 


iffiffift'-" . 


164 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


■    / 


reading,  and  similar  nonsense,  to  lead  <:):em  into 
careless  and  reckless  affiaires  cle  cceur,  deserve 
what  they  usually  get,  —  a  final  miserable  mis- 
mating. 

To  poison  one  in  the  wine  of  the  Eucharist 
was  regarded,  even  in  the  Dark  Ages,  as  one  of 
the  blackest  of  crimes.  Of  what  punishment 
is  he  or  she  worthy  who  poisons  the  heart 
through  the  sweet  and  holy  confidences  of 
love? 

You  can  tell  when  a  young  man  is  becoming 
specially  interested  in  you ;  and  you  are  verily 
guilty  concerning  him,  if  you  lead  him  on  in 
his  "  attentions "  when  it  is  your  cool,  candid 
judgment  that  the  affair  had  better  not  end  in 
marriage.  As  you  hope  for  happiness,  be 
thoroughly  honorable. 

"Marked  attention"  from  a  young  man  is 
usually  flattering  to  a  girl's  vanity  and  love  of 
power.  This  is  simply  human.  Men  like  to 
master  and  drive  dangerous  horses.  We  all 
enjoy  that  which  gives  us  to  think  we  can  do 
something  in  which  others  have  failed.    Then, 


IN. 

ead  them  into 

cceur,  deserve 

miserable  mis- 

the  Eucharist 
Lges,  as  one  of 
t  punishment 
)ns  the  heart 
jonfidences  of 

,n  is  becoming 
you  are  verily 
lad  him  on  in 
r  cool,  candid 
ter  not  end  in 
happiness,  be 

young  man  is 
iy  and  love  of 
Men  like  to 
irses.  We  all 
ink  we  can  do 
failed.    Then, 


-^•■'Wi'itiWirjyniVii  ifT.i^^nir.T-ir^irff.- 


GETTIXG  MARRIED. 


1G5 


the  bulk  of  our  light  literature  is  devoted  to 
the  culture  of  the  "  tender  passion."  It  fills 
young  heads  with  nonsense.  They  corao  to 
look  upon  association  with  the  opposite  sex 
with  a  view  to  marriage,  as  the  Alpha  and 
Omega  of  life.  Do  not,  let  mo  entreat  you, 
indulge  these  reveries,  fancies,  wliims,  to  the 
damage  of  your  own  affectional  nature,  and 
the  peril  of  tliat  of  others.  Such  exercises  are 
like  those  of  the  cat  when  she  lets  the  mouse 
run  a  few  inches,  that  she  may  have  the  pleas- 
ure of  bringing  it  down  again  with  her  puissant 
paw.  They  kill  the  mouse  and  make  the  cat 
ferocious. 

I  once  knew  a  girl  who  had  a  cold,  selfish  en- 
joyment of  her  powev  over  young  men,  and  prac- 
ticed upon  them  accordingly.  One  of  her  vic- 
tims was  found  stone  dead  with  a  laudanura- 
vial  and  a  note  to  her,  on  the  stand  beside  his 
bed.  Another  to  whom  she  was  pleased  to  call 
herself  "  engaged  "  for  a  while,  went  off  to  the 
Western  plains,  and  none  of  his  friends  ever 
knew  his  fate.    A  third  "  threw  himself  away  " 


1G6 


THE  rOTEKTIAL  WOMAN. 


lipon  a  poor,  ignorant  servant  girl,  who  liacl  the 
merit  of  being,  at  least,  honest.  Do  you  think 
that  young  woman  could  enjoy  the  homo,  the 
husband,  and  cliildren  of  her  later  years,  with 
ghosts  like  those  peeping  in  at  her  windows  ? 

You  may  become  somewhat  interested  in  a 
young  man,  and  yet  know  that  you  could  not 
endure  to  leave  all  your  friends,  and  be  shut  up 
to  his  society  for  the  rest  of  your  life.  You 
may  clothe  him  with  th"  garments  of  an  ideal 
hero;  and  yet  your  sober  judgment  tells  you 
that  he  would  bo  dreadfully  insipid  and  tire- 
some, stupid  or  overbearing,  for  the  long,  close 
association  of  a  lifetime.  Then  say  "No,"  at 
once,  and  end  the  matter.  Do  not  lead  him 
along  for  a  single  hour  after  you  have  faced  the 
facts,  as  you  ought  to  do  as  soon  as  the  affaii* 
becomes  "serious";  but,  Avithout  waiting  for 
any  formal  "  proposal,"  give  him  a  cool,  quiet, 
gentle,  but  firm  reminder,  that  will  open  his 
eyes.  Know  your  own  mind  in  the  matter,  and 
deal  honorably  with  him.  Moonliglit  and 
poetry  are  enchanting,  but  the  matter-of-fact 


lilt 


N. 

who  liad  the 
)o  you  think 
10  homo,  tho 
r  years,  with 

windows  ? 
tcrested  in  a 
oil  couhl  not 
id  be  shut  up 
ir  life.  You 
3  of  an  ideal 
3nt  tells  you 
ipid  and  tire- 
le  long,  close 
ay  "No,"  at 
lot  load  him 
ive  faced  the 

as  the  affaii' 

waiting  for 
a  cool,  quiet, 
vill  open  his 
3  matter,  and 
•onlight  and 
uatter-of-fact 


GETTING  MARRIED. 


1G7 


daylight  of  the  long,  earnest,  workish  years, 
aic  tlie  data  with  which  we  have  to  deal.  If 
there  were  more  honest  common  sense  in  the 
courting  days,  there  would  be  more  hapi)y  mar- 
riages and  sweet,  pure  homes. 

Ll'L  UK!  say  a  AV(jnl  about  men  whom  you 
must  not  marry. 

Do  not  marry  a  drunkard.  He  may  have 
many  fuie  traits,  and  "only  that  one  fault"; 
but  that  one  is  fatal.  If  he  will  uot  master  his 
evil  habit  for  your  sake  before  your  marriage, 
you  may  be  sure  he  will  not  do  so  afterward. 
The  probability  is,  your  self-immolation  will  be 
quite  useless,  your  awful  heart-ache  and  heart- 
break of  no  avail.  You  will  lose  your  own 
life,  and  the  chances  are  you  will  not  save  his. 

A  reformed  man  ought  to  have  a  long  proba- 
tion before  you  trust  your  happiness  in  his 
hands.  At  best,  it  is  a  hurt,  scarred  moral 
nature,  that  he  brings  you,  and  usually  not  one 
the  like  of  which  he  would  be  willing  to  take 
in  return.  It  would  excite  his  disgust,  rather 
than  his  sympathy,  for  you  to  confess  to  days 


linn titiiw'iiii  )iii>iiiiini<iiii>iii 


»^lr^J^tl^ri^«^J■„J■,,^.A.^■mi^lm,p«^,,.^^.^^^^.■^^.,|Jpp>^ 


:KTt*t 


168 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


spent  in  carousing,  and  nights  in  debauchery. 
Is  there  not  one  moral  law  for  both?  Have 
you  not  a  right  to  demand  honor  for  honor, 
purity  for  purity  ?  One  afternoon  my  friend's 
horse  ran  away.  "Ho  is  worth  fifty dolUirs  less 
than  he  was  this  morning,"  remarked  the  gen- 
tleman, when  I  met  him  that  evening,  and  he 
told  me  of  the  animal's  misadventure.  "  Was 
he  injured  by  his  fall  ?  "  I  asked.  "  Oh,  no, 
not  at  all ;  but  since  ho  has  run  away  once,  I 
can  never  again  feel  so  safe  about  him  as  I  did 
before." 

They  say  cancers  are  cured  sometimes;  but 
one  always  feels  apprehensive  lest  they  may 
break  out  again,  after  they  have  once  taken 
definite  form.  When  young  men  "sow  wild 
oats,"  you  cannot  feel  quite  sure  that  there  may 
not  be  enough  left  of  the  pernicious  seed  to 
produce  another  crop  some  day. 

You  had  better  not  join  hands  iu  the  attempt 
to  make  a  home  either  with  a  man  who  is  a 
spendthrift,  or  with  one  who  is  miserly.  With 
the  spendthrift  you  will  soon  have  little  left 


-^Mai^ittaMMialt^MMMMMBaiMHi 


iN. 

I  debauchery, 
both?  Have 
or  for  honor, 
n  my  friend's 
ty  dollars  less 
ked  the  gen- 
nlng,  and  ho 
iturc.  "  Was 
d.  "Oh,  no, 
away  once,  I 
>  him  as  I  did 

metimes;  but 
st  they  may 
3  once  taken 
n  "sow  wild 
hat  there  may 
icious  seed  to 

\i  the  attempt 
nan  who  is  a 
iserly.  With 
ive  little  left 


GETTINQ  MARUIED. 


1G9 


witl"  which  to  procure  the  necessaries  of  life. 
With  the  niggardly  soul  you  will  bo  made  to 
feel  the  pinch  of  poverty  while  he  adds  to  his 
useless  possessions. 

You  must  bewaro  of  ono  of  those  intense 
egotists  who  draw  everything  to  themselves, 
and  count  it  of  more  or  less  value  in  propor- 
tion as  it  builds  up  their  own  interests. 

There  are  some  who  are  amiably  tyrannical. 
In  their  mistaken  kindness  they  would  relieve 
you  of  all  responsibility.  Tliey  have  studied 
human  nature  to  so  poor  effect  that  they  have 
failed  to  discover  that  even  with  a  little  child 
there  is  nothing  more  enjoyable  than  to  do 
things  "  all  by  it3elf " ;  and  nothing  is  more 
wearing  than  a  sense  of  uselessness  and  incom- 
petency. I  once  knew  a  man  who  fancied  that 
he  could  take  the  best  possible  care  of  his  wife 
by  keeping  her  in  affluence,  and  saving  her 
from  all  care,  even  of  her  own  wardrobe.  He 
thought  he  knew  better  than  she  did  how 
money  could  be  expended  to  advantage,  —  and 
so  perhaps  he  did  at  first ;  but  he  failed  to 


»»»^ 


Biriapawft^gpTtiTiTrfin  m^urni 


170 


THE  POTENTIAL   WOMAN. 


understand  that  her  womanly  reasoning  would 
80011  liavc  made  hor  his  supericjr  in  tiiosn  linos, 
if  she  had  been  ])erniitted  to  use  her  ability ; 
and,  also,  that  there  is  nothing  sweeter  than 
the  privilege  of  conquering  obstacles,  especially 
one's  own  ignorance.  He  fancied  himself  the 
very  luidc  of  husbands,  and  wondered  why  she 
should  look  so  jaded  and  thin,  smiling  always 
in  that  mechanical,  bloodless  way,  when  he  was 
doing  80  much  to  make  her  hapi,^. .  lie  died 
suddenly,  and  loft  her  and  her  children  in  the 
hands  of  administrators,  who  managed  the 
estate  in  such  a  manner  that  she  was  obliged  to 
begin  to  exert  herself  in  self-defense.  As  soon 
as  she  recovered  from  the  first  shock  of  her 
grief,  and  began  to  think  her  way  through  the 
difficult  questions,  the  color  came  back  to  lier 
face,  the  spirit  to  her  eye,  and  the  elasticity  to 
her  step.  But  for  release  from  his  mistaken 
and  overbearing  dominance,  she  would  proba- 
bly have  faded  into  an  early  grave. 

Whom  shall  you  marry?     Some  one  whom 
you  love  better  than  all  the  world  beside  ;  yet 


iVN. 

isoning  would 
in  thoHfi  lines, 
le  her  ability ; 

sweeter  than 
^les,  especially 
!il  himself  the 
Icretl  why  she 
iiiilin),'  always 
,  when  he  was 
[j .  lie  died 
ihil'lren  in  the 
mana^^ed  the 
ivas  obliged  to 
nse.  As  soon 
shock  of  her 
y  through  the 
B  back  to  lier 
10  elasticity  to 

his  mistaken 
would   proba- 

3. 

ne  one  whom 
Id  beside ;  yet 


OKTTING   ftrAURIKD. 


in 


you  nuist  be  sure  that  your  love  rests  upon  a 
solid  basis  of  esteem.  He  must  be  one  whoso 
integrity  you  could  trust  if  he  were  a  stranger, 
on  whom  you  would  loan  if  lie  were  a  friend, 
and  who  would  be  a  ceaseless  joy  t(»  you  if  ho 
were  a  brother.  When  you  add  to  that  respect 
and  regard  the  suprenic  afl'eetion  that  (Jod 
himself  has  ordained  for  tlioso  whom  lie  means 
to  make  one,  you  have  a  ImukI  that  will  endure 
as  a  girding  of  strength,  in  sickness  and  in 
health,  till  death  doth  you  part. 

It  is  a  serious  business  to  join  another  life  to 
your  own  so  closely  that  liis  disgraces  shall  bo 
yours,  as  well  as  his  honors.  You  must  share 
his  failures  as  well  as  his  successes.  Unless  he 
has  traits  of  character  that  will  bear  the  mi- 
croscope at  all  hours,  your  union  with  him  will 
become  a  ghastly  bore.  If  we  are  tripartite  in 
nature,  marriage  should  be  a  union  of  the 
entire  being  of  both. 

We  do  not  say  much  of  the  physical,  j'et 
there  are  tliose  to  come  after  us,  whoso  interests 
will  fill  all  the  life.    Towuid  sunset  the  talk 


iwa<aK.Tfe  iiliiain»MMtt'ii/n*;ai  I 


172 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


will  bo  of  Httlo  elso.  Li.4ton  to  a  group  of 
mothora.     They  liiivo  but  one  tucino. 

Health  is  ns  certainly  a  part  of  tho  capital 
that  each  brings  into  this  concern,  as  arc 
money,  education,  and  talent.  Illness  con- 
BUinoa  time  and  vitality.  Disease  saps  tho 
foiuidation  of  tho  homo.  Thoso  who  come 
after  must  have  an  oadowmeiit  of  health,  us 
well  as  of  reputation  and  culture. 

More  attentif)n  is  usually  given  to  mental 
conditions ;  though  in  this,  also,  there  aro  some- 
times grievous  mistakes.  Man  and  woman, 
husband  and  wife,  should  live  on  tho  same  in- 
tellectual piano,  interested  in  tho  same  lines  of 
thought,  reading  tho  same  books,  stirred  by  tho 
Ramo  enthusiasm,  sharing  each  •other's  mental 
pleasures,  or  else,  as  the  years  plod  on,  they 
will  grow  apart,  till  they  can  hardly  touch  each 
other's  finger  tips  across  a  gulf  of  indifference. 

A  young  man  of  fine  tastes  and  good  educa- 
tion married  a  girl  who  was  pretty  and  weak. 
During  tho  courtship  she  had  looked  charming- 
ly sweet  and  sympathetic  over  the  beautiful 


i 


I 

N. 

GRTTFNO   MARniKD.                       173 

a  group   of 

things  h{3road  uloud  to  licr,  and  ho  had  dreamed 

0. 

of  tho  ox(iuisito  hapi)ine!s  of  a  shared  intollec- 

'  tlio  ciipital 

tual  life.    The  honoymcjon  liad  hardly  waned 

!oni,   lis    a  10 

bef(<ro  ho  found  her  dozing  when  lie  glanced  up 

Illness    coii- 

from  tho  page  for  her  fimilo  of  appreciation. 

180   mips  tlio 

Tho  evening  that  ho.  overheard  her  talk  with 

3   who  come 

her   familiar  about  tho   "horrid  boro  that  all 

>f  health,  US 

that  incomprchcnsiblo  stuff  has  got  to  be,"  he 

Bccretly  voted  her  "  a  fraud,"  and  slammed  tho 

n  to  mental 

doov  of  his  heart  in  her  face.     When  ho  went 

3ro  arc  somc- 

to  bed  with  a  wild,  nervous  headache,  aTid  she 

aiid  woman, 

bathed    his    throbbing    temples    with    eau  de 

the  same  iii- 

colofjne  and  ice-water,  she  might  better  have 

samo  lines  of 

sent  for  tho  undertaker  to   tie  crapo  on  the 

tilled  by  tho 

door-knob.    From   that  hour  they  lived  apart 

ler's  mental 

intellectually.     lie  went  on   with  his  studies 

od  on,   they 

alone,  and  she  busied  herself  with  her  petty 

y  touch  each 

fancies.     Both  were  to  be  i)iticd,  for  both  had 

indifference. 

missed  the  mental  comradeship  that  is  so  dear 

good  educa- 

and  helpful.    There  arc  hours  when  she  must 

ty  and  weak. 

know  that  she  is  a  clog  and  a  burden.     She  can 

3d  charming- 

but  feel  twinges  of  jealous  j)ain  when  she  sees 

he  beautiful 

him  drinking  in  the  fine  thought  of  some  intel- 

174 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


lectual  woman,  as  thirstily  as  the  ground  takes 
rain  after  a  drought.  Then  comes  to  hira  the 
fierce  struggle  to  hold  himself  loyal  in  the 
mental  desert  of  his  home,  while  ho  catches 
glimpses  of  the  thought-fellowship  he  might 
have  had  but  for  his  wretched  blunder. 

It  is  even  worse  when  a  woman  marries  a 
man  whose  mental  ability  she  cannot  respect. 
Unless  he  is  unusually  kind,  beside  the  isolation 
that  she  has  to  endure,  she  Avill  be  subjected  to 
no  end  of  annoyance  on  account  of  his  jealousy 
lest  she  eclipse  hira,  and  her  successes  throw 
him  a  little  in  the  shade.  Besides,  we  are  not 
3'et  so  far  from  the  darkness  of  heathenism  but 
that  many  think  of  a  man  as  so  much  smaller 
iu  consequence  of  all  that  his  wife  achieves. 

The  main  point  in  the  matter  is  the  need  of 
fellowship  in  spiritual  things.  Tie  Apostle 
warns  believers  against  being  unequally  yoked 
with  unbelievers.  But  ma)-  not  a  Christian 
girl  marry  an  unsaved  man?  I  will  not  say 
that  it  is  impossible  for  her  to  do  so  without 
spiritual  loss;  but  1  regard  it  an  exceedhigly 
dangerous  experiment. 


-ai»tX''.T>*ii"'V»»»j.'Wafif'w.''iij>s*My»iffiw>in'ri^^ 


««p. 


[AN. 

5  ground  takes 
mes  to  him  the 

loyal  in  the 
lilo  ho  catches 
ship  he  might 
under. 

man  marries  a 
cannot  respect. 
:le  the  isolation 
be  subjected  to 
of  his  jealousy 
accesses  throw 
les,  we  are  not 
heathenism  but 
>  much  smaller 
fe  achieves. 
r  is  the  need  of 

Tie  Apostle 
lequally  yoked 
it  a  Christian 
[  will  not  say 
do  so  without 
,n  exceediiigly 


GETTING  MARRIED. 


175 


Many  a  young  lady  has  married  an  uncon 
verted  man  in  hopes  to  win  him  to  her  Saviour; 
but  so  frail  and  so  perverse  is  human  nature, 
she  has  found  it  very  difficult  even  to  hold  her 
own.  She  must  try  to  please  him,  and  if  he  is 
a  worldling,  she  can  do  that  only  by  going  with 
him  to  questionable  places  of  amusement. 
How  often  have  ladies  said  to  me :  "  My  heart 
is  hungry  for  a  better  spiritual  life ;  but  my 
husband  holds  me  back.  I  do  not  enjoy  the 
theatre  and  opera,  but  he  will  go  any  way  ;  and 
it  is  safer  for  him  to  have  me  with  him." 

But  most  frequently  the  wife  goes  before  her 
husband  in  spiritual  things.  Yes ;  but  I  think 
the  majority  of  such  cases  are  those  in  which 
both  are  unsaved  when  they  are  married,  or 
when  the  husband  is  not  a  decided  worldling 
or  unbeliever.  lie  has  what  Finney  calls  "  a 
secret  hope."  Usually,  if  she  cannot  win  him 
during  the  halcyon  days  of  courtship,  she  need 
hardly  hope  to  do  so  after  they  have  settled 
into  the  plain,  prosy,  every-day  work  of  life. 

It  is  a  mystery  to  me  how  one  who  is  fully 


1 


176 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


consecrated  to  Christ  can  love  as  a  wife  ought 
to  love  her  husband,  one  who  is  an  enemy,  or 
even  a  neglecter  of  her  Lord.  He  may  be 
respectful  to  Christians  and  their  worship,  and 
faultless  in  outward  morals,  but  if  he 'is  un- 
saved, he  is  dead  in  tresspasses  and  sins.  He 
has  the  carnal  mind  that  is  enmity  against  God. 
IIow  can  one  ■who  walks  with  God  live  with 
such  a  man  in  close  and  constant  unison  of 
soul  ?  She  must  lack  the  best  outer  means  of 
grace,  communion  on  spiritual  things  with  her 
dearest  human  friend.  She  must  be  held  back 
from  the  expi'essiou  of  her  religious  sentiments, 
and  the  development  consequent  upon  that 
expression,  by  the  constant  fear  that  she  will 
weary  him  by  that  which  is  distasteful  to  him. 
If  she  goes  to  any  one  else  for  such  spiritual 
help,  he  can  but  be  grieved  that  she  prefers  the 
society  of  others,  and  neglects  him.  How  can 
she  rest  in  peace  a  single  hour  while  he  who  is 
dearer  than  her  own  life  is  in  danger  of  eterua,! 
perdition  ?  The  Avrath  of  God  abides  upon  her 
husband,  no  matter  how  dear  he  may  be. 


ST. 

a  wife  ought 
n  enemy,  or 
He  may  be 
svorship,  and 
if  he  '  is  un- 
id  sins.  He 
igainst  God. 
)d  live  with 
it  unison  of 
ter  means  of 
iigs  with  her 
je  held  back 
1  sentiments, 
upon  that 
lat  she  will 
eful  to  him. 
ich  spiritual 
3  prefers  the 
.  How  can 
le  he  who  is 
iv  of  etemtil 
les  upon  her 
ly  be. 


GETTING   MAEllIED. 


177 


There  is  a  paradox  in  this  matter  of  Chris- 
tian enjoyment,  —  the  more  you  share  it  with 
others,  the  more  you  have  for  yourself.  There 
is  also  great  joy  in  sharing  our  best  things  with 
those  whom  we  love.  Indeed,  they  hardly 
seem  fully  our  own  till  our  "other  self"  has 
had  a  part  of  the  pleasure  they  give. 

There  is  no  happiness  on  earth  to  compare 
with  that  of  well-married  people  who  are  "  one 
in  Christ  Jesus." 

You  may  use  your  best  judgment  in  this 
matter,  —  of  your  choice  of  a  husband ;  but, 
after  all,  you  will  need  special  Divine  guidance. 

Only  God  knows  the  future.  His  eye  alone 
can  cut  down  through  all  shams  and  disguises. 
The  only  safe  thing  in  this  all-important  mat- 
ter, is  for  you  to  "  commit  your  ways  "  to  Him, 
tliat  He  may  "  direct  your  paths." 

Solomon  says  that  a  good  wife  is  of  the 
Lord ;  and  is  not  also  a  good  husband  from 
the  source  of  "every  good  and  perfect  gift"? 

It  is  God  who  joins  together  those  whom 
man  may  not  jtut  asunder. 


ta 


178 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


When  your  mind  begins  to  settle  upon  some 
one  who  seems  also  to  prefer  you,  the  whole 
matter  ought  to  be  taken  to  the  Good  Father, 
with  confideuce  that  lie  will  arrange  it  just  as 
it  is  best.     In   order  to  Divine  direction,  you 
must   choose  that  the  matter  in  liand  may  go 
God's  way:    not  like  the  young  fellow  who 
asked  to  be  guided  in  a  similar  matter;  but 
added,  under  his  breath:    "But  I  must  have 
Mary."     In   your    choice,   oblige    yourself    to 
swing  to  the  opposite  side  from  your  inclina- 
tion.    Then  trust  that  your  motives,  being  fully 
in  Christ's  hand,  are  under  the  blood  of  cleans- 
ing.    Do  not  say :  "  I  cannot  live  if  God  denies 
me  this  friend."     No;  say,  rather:  "If  He  who 
sees  the  end  from  the  beginning,  knows  this  not 
to  be  for  the  best,  I  pray  Him  to  break  it  up. 
Better,  a  thousand  times  better  so,  than  that 
my  life  should  be  blighted  by  a  mistak'  in  this 
vital  matter." 

With  God's  sanction  and  blessing  you  can 
but  be  sure  of  great  happiness  in  the  long  walk 
through  life. 


le  upon  some 
au,  the  whole 
Good  Father, 
ige  it  just  as 
lirection,  you 
liand  may  go 
g  fellow  who 
'  matter;  but 
I  must  have 
I    yourself    to 
I  your  inclina- 
es,  being  fully 
ood  of  cleans- 
if  God  deuies 
:  "If  He  who 
inows  this  not 
,0  break  it  up. 
so,  than  that 
nistak'  in  this 

3sing  you  can 
the  long  walk 


GETTING  MABRIi'-D. 


179 


Tcnnj'son  says :  — 

"  Two  heads  In  council,  two  beside  the  hearth, 
Two  In  the  tangled  business  of  the  world, 
Two  in  the  liberal  offices  of  life, 
Two  plummets  dropped  for  one  to  sound  the  abyss 
Of  science,  and  the  secrets  of  the  mind. 
In  the  long  years  liker  must  they  grow,  — 
The  man  be  more  of  woman,  she  of  man; 
He  gain  in  sweetness  and  in  moral  height, 
Nor  lose  tho  wrestling  thews  that  throw  the  world; 
She,  mental  breadth,  nor  fail  in  childward  care, 
Nor  lose  the  childlike  in  the  larger  n.ind; 
Till,  at  the  last,  she  set  herself  to  man 
Like  perfect  music  imto  noble  words." 


<l  i 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

MAKING  THE  HO>EB. 

The  true  Christian  home  is  the  one  remnant 
of  Eden  in  this  out-of-joint  world.  A  thousand 
pities  that  it  is  so  far  to  seek,  and  hard  to  find ! 

There  are  thousands  of  living  places  where 
men  and  women  hurt  constantly  those  whom 
they  ought  to  help,  chilling  them  to  death  with 
misunderstandings,  tliereby  making  their  own 
lives  as  desolate  as  a  desert.  Those  who  ought 
to  stand  heart  to  heart,  doing  tlie  work  and  en- 
during the  weariness  of  life,  are  separated  by 
seas  of  icy  indifference.  Most  of  these  people 
have,  within  reach,  the  means  that,  wisely  used, 
would  make  the  home  a  very  Paradise. 

There  can  be  no  nobler  business  than  home- 
making,  for  in  the  home  the  base-stones  of  char- 
acter are  laid.     The  foundation  of  a  building 
shows  less  than  the  rest,  yet  no  fault  is  more 
lisas^iHus  than  its  unsoundness.    A  defect  in 
180 


MAKING  THE  HOME. 


181 


3ne  remnant 
A  thousand 
laid  to  find ! 
places  wliere 
those  whom 
o  death  with 
ig  their  own 
,e  who  ought 
vork  and  en- 
separated  by 
these  peoi^le 
,  wisely  used, 
disc. 

3  than  home- 
tones  of  char- 
of  a  building 
fault  is  more 
A  defect  in 


early  training  manifests  itself  in  the  terrible 
failures  of  later  life. 

I  once  knew  a  family  whose  mother  gave  each 
of  her  children  something  of  her  own  brilliancy; 
but,  all !  the  pity  of  it !  —  she  gave  each  also 
an  obliquity  in  regard  to  the  truth.  They  went 
astray,  speaking  lies  as  soon  as  they  were  born. 
Their  father  had  many  noble  traits,  but  a  fault 
in  his  own  training  led  him  always  to  treat  his 
wife  as  if  she  were  a  minor,  under  his  guardian- 
ship and  control.  Busy  in  his  profession,  he 
could  not  do  well  the  work  of  both  parents.  He 
would  lay  down  iron  rules  that  he  expected  her 
to  observe  exactly,  but  which  were  often  more 
honored  in  the  breach  than  tlxe  observance. 
She  was  not  brave  enough  to  resist  openly  his 
autocratic  will ;  and  as  a  natural  result  of  the 
grinding  of  his  small  tyrannies,  she  became  de- 
ceitful and  tricky,  and  trained  her  children  ac- 
cordingly. They  developed  so  inveterate  a  pro- 
pensity to  deceive  that  they  would  cheat  when 
openness  and  honesty  would  have  been  far 
better  policy.    They  became  Christians ;  some 


182 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


of  them  ministers ;  yet  they  failed  constantly  of 
the  grand  work  for  which  they  were  fitted  by 
fine  talent  and  generous  impulses ;  and  all  on 
account  of  that  defect  in  their  home  training. 
Many  a  one  who  might  have  been  a  giant, 
achieving  the  noblest  results  in  God's  work,  is 
pre-doomed  to  failure  because  the  mother  who 
laid  the  foundation  of  character,  is  weak  or 
careless. 

The  woman's  hand  gives  the  life  a  bias  that  it 
will  follow,  not  only  to  the  end  of  life,  but 
throughout  the  eternal  years.  Hence,  in  God's 
name,  I  say,  let  it  be  steady,  sure,  and  strong. 
Let  the  home,  where  she  does  her  best  work, 
have  her  strongest  thought,  her  main  strength, 
her  most  devout  prayer. 

The  character  of  the  home  determines  also 
the  destiny  of  the  nation  and  of  the  race,  for  it 
is  the  workshop  of  the  civilization.  Some  one 
has  said :  "  Let  me  make  the  songs  of  a  people, 
and  I  care  not  who  makes  the  laws."  I  would 
say:  "Let  me  shape  the  homes  of  the  people, 
and  I  will  make  both  songs  and  laws." 


MAKING  THE  HOME. 


188 


onstantly  of 
re  fitted  by 
and  all  on 
ne  training, 
en  a  giant, 
id'3  work,  is 
mother  who 
ia  weak  or 

I.  bias  that  it 
of  life,  but 
ce,  in  God's 
and  strong, 
best  work, 
in  strength, 

irmines  also 

race,  for  it 

Some  one 

jf  a  people, 

."     I  would 

the  people. 


Home-making  is  as  natural  to  women  as  it  is 
for  birds  to  fly,  or  fishes  to  swim.  When  we 
SCO  eagles  taking  to  the  water,  and  fishes  floun- 
dering over  the  meadows,  we  may  expect  to  see 
true  women  seeking  happiness  outside  the  home. 
I  do  not  know  much  about  the  actress  and 
chanteuse,  but  I  do  know  intimately  most  of  the 
women  who  are  in  public  Christian  work. 
Many  of  them  are  toiling  for  the  means  to  make 
their  own  home  safe  and  comfortable ;  or  they 
sacrifice  their  happiness  that  the  less  fortunate 
may  be  helped  to  ti  e  means  of  making  the  home 
what  it  should  be.  When  I  have  seen  them  in 
the  seclusion  of  their  family  life,  I  have  seen 
that  no  homes  in  all  the  land  were  better  kept, 
or  nearer  the  ideal.  It  is  not  they  who  leave 
their  children  with  half-civilized  servants  while 
they  are  out  in  the  whirl  of  excitement  and  dis- 
sipation. It  is  when  society  chains  a  woman  to 
her  car  that  you  may  expect  that  moral  slaugh- 
ter of  the  innocents.  Then  all  hopes  and  loves 
are  sacrificed  to  the  insane  appetite  for  admira- 
tion. 


184 


THE   POTENTIAL   WOMAN, 


I  till  Ilk  most  of  tho  tlay'dreama  of  young  girls 
revolvo  about  the  home  that  i.-.  to  be.  I  know 
that  ahviiys  furnished  the  staple  for  my  castle- 
building.  Tt  would  bo  well  if  they  could  have 
systematio  i)r(!paration  for  thia  work,  ns  it  is  to 
be  the  main  business  of  the  majority.  When  we 
reach  the  Golden  Age,  every  college  will  have  a 
woman  of  broiid  experience  and  keen  insight  to 
lecture  on  thia  all-iuiportant  topic.  Nothing  ex- 
cept personal  salvation,  to  which  it  is  closely 
akin,  could  bo  more  helpful,  or  tell  moio  upon 
the  future. 

You  can  make  a  home  without  a  husbrmd, 
thoujjh  under  disadvantages.  It  may  lack  per- 
manence, since  there  is  uo  other  relation  in 
which  we  may  depend  upon  the  union  of  inter- 
est to  last  to  the  end  to  end  of  time. 

A  tree  is  a  marvelous  specimen  of  vegetable 
life,  and  it  takes  the  sunshine  and  storms  of 
many  years  to  bring  it  to  strength.  It  must 
have  as  large  a  branching  under-ground,  where 
it  can  take  hold  upon  the  muscles  of  the  earth, 
as  it  sends  toward  heaven.    This  would  be  im- 


N. 


MAKINCJ   THK    HOME. 


185 


£  young  girls 
be.  I  know 
or  my  castlo- 
y  could  have 
rk,  (IS  it  is  to 
'.  When  we 
e  will  have  a 
icti  insight  to 
Nothing  ex- 
it is  closely 
11  nioio  upon 

b  a  husband, 
iiay  lack  per- 
■  relation  in 
lion  of  inter- 

3. 

of  vegetable 
id  storms  of 
th.  It  must 
•ound,  where 
)f  the  earth, 
would  be  im- 


possible if  it  could  be  moved  as  easily  and  safely 
as  an  onion  or  a  turnip.  Tiiere  is  sometiung 
like  this  in  the  making  of  the  home.  It  ni  1 
that  God  sliould  join  two  people  togetln  ■* 
bettor  or  for  worse,  in  order  to  its  perrnane«cy 
yet  when  that  is  not  practicable,  natui' 
makeshifts  that  answer  admirably.  The  young 
lady  who  conducted  me  through  an  iisyluni  for 
deaf  mutes,  talked  so  easily  and  pleasantly  I  did 
not  discover  that  she  was  hearing  with  her  eyes, 
till  I  asked  a  question  while  her  face  was  turned 
from  me.  Nature  having  closed  the  poor  child's 
ears,  had  put  upon  her  eyes  the  work  of  the 
missing  sense.  It  is  much  better  to  "  read  the 
lips,"  than  not  to  know  the  thought  of  others ; 
but,  after  all,  the  original  plan  is  the  best. 

There  must  be  harmony  between  the  princi- 
pal factors  in  making  the  home,  be  they  friends, 
sisters,  sister  and  brother,  or  husband  and  wife. 
That  harmony  can  be  secured  only  by  each 
yielding  to  the  other.  Each  must  surrender 
personal  preferences  for  the  common  weal.  It 
is  anything  but  harmony  where  the  giving  up  is 


^ 


isn 


TUB  roTKNTlAL  WOMAN. 


(ill  on  one   side   of   tho  house.     That  is  poor 
music  that  is  all  huso,  di-  all  soprano.     Solua  do 
very  well  for  a  change,  or  to  render  80inc  aenti- 
inent  most  effectively;  but  wo  want  "the  parts" 
in  the  hulk  of  our  music.     When  tho  harmony 
is  finest,  it  is  not  simply  a  succession  of  simple 
chords.     It    grows    intricate.     Now    tho    base 
takes  the  theme,  and  then  tho  soprano,  tho  alto 
and  tho  tenor  being  ready  to  take  their  turn, 
according  to  the  effect  to  be  produced.     In  per- 
fect family  life,  there  is  not  tho  monotony  of 
the  perpetual  dominance  of  one  "part."     Now 
it  is  the  Imsband's  voice  that  carries  the  melody, 
V'hii3  t";  rest  "accompany";   then  the  wife's 
s<  prano   rings   out,  steady  and  clear,  and   the 
basso  sinks  into  a  support.     In  this  harmony,  as 
in  tho  service  of  Christ,  each  is  free  to  do  his 
best,  and  develop  his  powers  to  tho  utmost. 

To  get  ready  for  this  important  part  of  your 
future  work  you  need  to  learn  to  yield  grace- 
fully. While  you  have  clear  convictions  of 
right,  and  sharply-defined  opinions  of  the  fitness 
of  things,  you  must  learn  that  the  Lord  never 


AN. 

That  is  poor 
iiu).     Soloa  do 
ilt'i'  80ino  scnti- 
,ut"thc  parts" 
1  tho  harmony 
ision  of  simple 
^ow    tlic    base 
)prano,  tlio  alto 
akc  their  turn, 
lucod.     In  pcr- 
lO  monotony  of 
!  "part."    Now 
ries  tho  melody, 
then  the  wife's 
clear,  and   the 
;his  harmony,  as 
}  free  to  do  his 
the  utmost, 
xnt  part  of  your 
to  yield  grace- 
convictions  of 
jns  of  the  fitness 
1  the  Lord  never 


fc. 


R.^S^8?S."s8' 


r:.*"^ ! 


f  iWaiJi iitiiti  iifciiiiiii' 


7 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


|4i 

■SO 


1^     1^ 


1^  i^ 

m 


I.I 


lU 

us 
u 


IM 


2.0 


18 


'•25      1.4   III  1.6 

« 

^ 

6" 

► 

Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  M580 

(716)  872-4503 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


^^#&l??l 


MAKING  THE   HOME. 


187 


packs  all  the  wisdom  in  one  brain  ;  and  perfect 
I)erceptions  are  as  rare  as  perfect  eye-sight. 
One  is  color-blind,  and  you  might  argue  with 
him  till  doomsday,  and  you  could  never  make 
him  know  green  from  blue,  or  yellow.  Another 
is  near-sighted  ;  a  third  sees  double ;  a  fourth  is 
so  well  satisfied  with  his  first  glance  that  he 
never  cares  to  look  upon  the  other  side  of  a 
matter.  Where  there  is  so  much  imperfect  vis- 
ion, we  can  hardly  be  sure  that  our  own  eyes 
are  absolutely  reliable.  So  we  must  learn  to 
express  our  opinions  humbly,  and  with  due  re- 
spect for  those  of  others  ;  above  all, !' j>ving  fei- 
vent  charity.  A  voice  that  habituall/  '*  sharps  " 
or  "  flats  "  will  spoil  a  choir.  So  an  intolerant 
spirit  will  ruin  the  harmony  of  a  household. 

Do  not  seem  to  yield  while  you  are  secretly 
all  the  more  determined  to  have  your  own  way. 
While  you  hold  your  opinions  with  due  firm- 
ness, go  around  to  the  side  of  those  who  oppose 
you,  and  see  how  the  matter  looks  from  this 
point  of  view.  The  surest  guard  to  harmony  is 
that  all  shall  agree  in  asking  that  their  joint  af- 


. 


188 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


fiiirs  may  "go  Gc  I's  way."  Leave  it  to  the 
Master  to  settle  all  difficult  questions,  and  you 
may  depend  upon  it,  you  will  have  peace. 

In  the  well-made  home  all  are  industrious. 
Mere  consumers  are  impedimenta^  the  carrying 
of  wluch  can  but  exhaust  the  strength  of  the 
producers.  To  live  by  the  effort  of  other  peo- 
ple makes  one  selfish ;  and  selfishness  is  always 
an  enemy  of  peace. 

I  am  told  that  in  Brittany  children  only  three 
years  old  are  given  something  to  do  to  help  win 
the  family  bread.  One  often  sees,  among  our 
own  poor,  one  infant  playing  nurse,  and  lugging 
around  another  not  much  smaller  than  itself. 
It  seems  cruel  to  take  the  little  things  away 
from  their  dolls  and  kittens,  and  set  them  at 
work,  but  it  makes  industry  a  second  nature  to 
them.  I  learned  to  knit  when  I  was  very  small, 
and  my  mother  insisted  that  I  should  knit 
twenty  times  around  the  mitten  or  stocking 
every  day.  I  thought  myself  dreadfully  unfor- 
tunate, especially  v/'  ^  the  sock  was  large 
enough  for  my  fate        Stitch  by  stitch,  I  had 


iffii.'.h.; 


OMAN. 

Leave  it  to  the 
lestions,  and  you 
have  peace. 

are  industrious. 
nta,  the  carrying 
3  strength  of  the 
ort  of  other  peo- 
fishness  is  always 

tiildren  only  three 

to  do  to  help  win 

sees,  among  our 

lurse,  and  lugging 

laller  than  itself. 

ttle  things  away 

and  set  them  at 

i  second  nature  to 

1 1  was  very  small, 

it  I  should  knit 

tten  or  stocking 

dreadfully  unfor- 

sock  was  large 

1  by  stitch,  I  had 


MAKING  THE   HOME. 


189 


to  worry  off  the  daily  task,  while  other  little 
girls  were  doing  whatever  they  liked ;  but  the 
habit  of  industry  was  worth  infinitely  more  than 
the  discomfort  it  cost. 

In  the  family  there  can  be  genuine  commu- 
nity of  feeling  only  where  all  join  hands  under 
the  common  burden.  There  must  bo  discipline 
in  the  home,  —  an  ideal  of  neatness  and  order, 
to  which  it  must  be  held,  yet  it  must  not  be 

"  Faultily  faultless,  icily  regular,  splendidly  null." 

It  requires  the  genius  of  a  statesman,  or 
stateswoman  if  you  please,  to  hold  each  within 
given  lines,  while  there  is  the  greatest  freedom 
for  the  development  of  individuality.  This 
seems  easier  in  the  country,  wnere  the  rooms  of 
the  house  seem  to  have  rambled  in  and  sat  down 
together,  at  their  own  sweet  will,  additions  and 
lean-tos  coming  up  in  a  friendly  way,  and  with 
Queen  Anne-ish  disregard  of  original,  boxlike 
symmetry.  In  the  city  where  land  is  valued  by 
the  inch,  miles  of  houses  are  built  exactly  alike, 
because  there  is  but  one  way  in  which  to  hang 


190 


THE  POTENTIAL   WOMAN. 


K 


cubes  of  space  most  economically  about  a  flight 
of  stairs.  Tliere  it  seems  harder  to  give  scope  to 
individual  traits  of  character  in  the  makeup  of 
the  home.  From  the  compacting  process,  there 
comes  to  be  but  one  usual  way  of  doing  every- 
thing, and  upon  that  iron  bedstead  all  must  be 
stretched.  Yet,  after  all,  this  is  but  in  the 
seeming.  If  the  chick  within  is  kept  under  the 
proper  conditions  for  a  suitable  length  of  time, 
it  will  peck  and  grow  out  of  the  shell.  It  is  the 
life  within,  rather  than  the  form,  that  needs  to 
be  developed  after  its  kind. 

Take  the  customs  of  the  table,  for  instance. 
Less  than  three  courses  at  dinner  might  seem 
to  one  to  indicate  a  lower  type  of  civilization 
than  she  could  endure.  Yet,  with  the  ordinary 
American  confusion  in  domestic  service,  she 
would  have  to  enslave  herself  and  the  rest  if  she 
were  rigidly  to  insist  upon  having  the  table 
cleared  after  the  soup,  and  also  after  the  heart- 
ier dishes ;  while  seven  or  eight  courses  would 
require  drill  and  attention  sufficient  to  carry  a 
regiment  through  the  first  chapters  of  its  tactics. 


^ffag.iy^'i.^ ;  ;(i:«¥r^'i  'if  ■i'l^isy^rir 


OMAN. 

illy  about  a  flight 
31'  to  give  scope  to 
in  the  makeup  ol" 
ing  process,  there 
^  of  doing  every- 
itead  all  must  be 
is  is  but  in  the 
is  kept  under  the 
e  length  of  time, 
e  shell.  It  is  the 
rm,  that  needs  to 

ible,  for  instance, 
nner  might  seem 
pe  of  civilization 
with  the  ordinary 
3Stic  service,  she 
and  the  rest  if  she 
having  the  table 
0  after  the  heart- 
jht  courses  would 
ifficient  to  carry  a 
pters  of  its  tactics. 


MAKING  THE  HOME. 


191 


While  you  have  seen  the  mistress  of  the  house 
sitting,  with  persistently  uplifted  brows  and 
diawn  lips,  measuring  off  a  sparse,  machine-made 
talk,  waiting  for  an  awkward  servant  to  shamble 
thiough  her  duty,  you  have  felt  in  the  ghastly 
stiffness  that  the  careless  clatter  of  the  farm- 
house table  where  your  butter  slid  down  prema- 
turely upon  the  warm  potato,  and  the  api^le- 
sauce  adjusted  itself  to  the  roast  a  little  too 
democratically,  was  preferable;  for  was  there 
not  good  fellowship  and  much  excellent  sense? 

It  cannot  be  denied  that  we  sometimes  at- 
tempt to  support  a  style  that  may  be  agreeable 
in  itself,  but  that  is  beyond  reasonable  reach  of 
o'lr  individual  purse;  and  we  thereby  incur 
much  discomfort  and  deserve  blame  for  our  ex- 
travagance. 

In  England,  nothing  is  wasted.  Some  farm- 
laboiers,  into  whose  cottages  I  took  a  peep  one 
day,  asked  me  how  I  thought  they  could  get 
along  in  America.  I  could  but  tell  them  that 
with  their  English  habfts  of  economy,  they 
would  soon  have  a  competence ;  but  the  trouble 


r 


192 


THE   rOTEXTIAL   ^VOMAN. 


would  be,  tliey  would  learn  our  American  ex- 
travagajice,  and  th-^n  they  would  get  on  no  bet- 
ter here  than  there. 

There  are  tracts  of  country,  rich  and  produc- 
tive, in  the  Middle  West,  that  show  what  may 
be  done  where  foreign  peasants  work  to  the 
original  plan  of  their  life.  I  have  in  mind  a 
beautiful  region  first  settled  by  New  Englanders. 
Their  frugal  habits,  developed  on  the  rocky 
home  soil,  soon  turned  the  new  country  into 
rich  farms,  with  large,  comfortable  houses. 
There  were  books,  churches,  and  schools,  after 
the  early,  intellectual  New  England  type.  But 
their  children  indulged  notions  of  extravagant 
living  that  the  resources  of  the  country  would 
not  support ;  and  before  long,  mortgages  were 
spun  like  spiders'  webs  over  the  broad,  fat  acres. 
Then  the  farms  had  to  be  sold.  Purchasers 
were  found  in  the  Scandinavians,  who  had  been 
pinched  by  the  close  poverty  of  their  mountain- 
ous, storm-swept  homes,  into  the  most  rigid 
economy.  They  took  possession  of  the  fine 
farm-houses,  and  lived  on  bare  floors,  eating 


■^aitg.'riif.BiiiBjaiBii«  litmi  iTfirffl^rTrffrMiYia8iiiiiT<7niiiiwi--w  - 


_^       ^»-?B:'»Wf':St^V.-'-'J.<-r/^»laAj;.^a..w^fl»vv):a;.v^,'>f:..^.«,^y.,.. 


MAN. 

r  American  ex- 
.1  got  on  no  bet- 

icli  and  prodnc- 
show  what  may 
;3  work  to  the 
lavo  in  mind  a 
few  Englanders. 

on  the  rocky 
w  country  into 
jrtablo  houses, 
d  schools,  after 
and  type.  But 
of  extravagant 

country  would 
mortgages  were 
broad,  fat  acres, 
d.  Purchasers 
I,  who  had  been 
their  mountain- 
the  most  rigid 
Dn  of  the  fine 
J  floors,  eating 


MAKING  THE  HOME. 


193 


buttermilk  and  potatoes,  and  saving  every  avail- 
able cent  to  complete  their  payments.  But 
their  young  people  are  beginning  to  yield  to 
the  yeasty  American  spirit,  and  the  probability 
is  that  they  wiU  repeat  the  blunder  of  the  orig- 
inal  settlers. 

How  much  better  would  it  bo  to  live  one's 
own,  individual  life,  simply,  plainly,  and  with- 
out  ostentation,  affluent  in  genial  hospitality,  in 
books,  and  in  loyalty  to  God,  rather  than  to  ape 
those  whose  financial  and  other  circumstances 
are  of  so  different  an  order. 

That  you  may  be  able  to  do  this,  you  must 
learn  by  study  of  your  own  tastes  and  capabili- 
ties,  and  by  Divine  enlightenment,  just  what 
kind  of  a  life  you  are  meant  to  live,  and  what 
sort  of  a  home  you  are  set  to  make.  Choose 
your  model,  and  work  toward  it  as  God  gives 
you  opportunity. 

I  confess  that  none  looks  more  attractive  to 
me  than  those  of  the  Scotch  cottagers.  Robbie 
Burns  wrote  of  them :  — 

"From  scenes  like  these  auld  Scotia's  grandeur  springs; "- 


iirWWiMMiTI 


194 


THE  rOTKNTlAL  WOMAN. 


or  tlioao  of  tho  old  New  Englaiul,  before  capital 
sot  all  her  brooks  turning  spindles,  when  slio 
was  content  to  send  out  from  her  plain  hillside 
homes  grand  men  and  women,  every  spare  pen- 
ny being  turned  into  college  training,  and  good, 
philanthropic  thought;  or  that  humble  dwell- 
ing in  Bethany  where  Jesus  of  Nazareth  was 
often  a  guest,  one  of  the  sisters  doing  tlie  house- 
work, while  the  otjier  studied  theology  at  tho 
Master's  feet. 

Let  the  pattern  of  your  future  home  be  shown 
you  while  you  are  alone  with  the  Lord  on  the 
mount  of  communion;  Ihen  prepare  yourself 
carefully  to  make  it,  when  tho  hour  strikes. 
Master  the  details  of  its  economies  and  indus- 
tries. Learn  to  keep  it  faultlessly.  The  Lord 
may  see  fit  to  give  you  your  time  for  intellectual 
or  benevolent  work,  by  sending  the  means  for 
you  to  hire  a  substitute  in  the  kitchen  and  sew- 
ing-room ;  but  you  will  need  to  know  how  every 
part  of  the  work  ought  to  be  done,  in  order  to 
get  much  comfort  out  of  it. 

Love  is  the  staple  in  this  home-making  busi- 


MAN. 

il,  before  civpital 
idles,  when  she 
!i'  plain  hillside 
very  spare  peu- 
ining,  and  good, 
b  humble  dwell- 
if  Nazareth  was 
Lk)ing  the  house- 
theology  at  the 

e  home  be  shown 
;he  Lord  on  the 
prepare  yourself 
10  hour  strikes. 
>mics  and  indus- 
ssly.  The  Lord 
e  for  intellectual 
^  the  means  for 
kitchen  and  sew- 
I  know  how  every 
lone,  in  order  to 

)me-making  busi- 


Wa'teiy--"SHeaiB^t?t''-fjw'-i'-:iiit»Mi«Mv.^«...y.).i.i.,. , -..:  )g>»«^ 


MAICINQ  THE   IIOMK. 


195 


ness;  and  that  it  may  last,  there  must  be  trans- 
parent candor  and  tender,  plain  dealing. 

Practical  jokes  must  bo  ruled  out.  They 
buzz  about  in  an  innocent,  harhdess  way ;  but 
when  the  nerves  are  not  quite  sound  they  annoy 
like  swarms  of  housc-llius.  Sometimes  they 
have  a  covert  teasing  in  them.  Then  they  sting 
like  gnats  and  mosquitoes.  I  liave  been  in 
houses  where  the  windows  were  covered  with 
screens  to  keep  out  insects,  yet  within  their 
walls  sensitive  hearts  would  lie  awake  for  hours 
fighting  off  the  stinging  memories  of  jolly  little 
jibes  and  cruelly-aimed  jests. 

You  certainly  would  not  expect  a  happy  home 
if  you  permitted  its  inmates  to  let  loose  upon 
each  other  flings  and  sarcasms.  As  well  exjject 
an  agreeable  entertainment  from  the  opening  of 
an  occasional  box  of  lizards  and  snakes. 

There  must  bo  the  rebuking  of  faults,  and 
free  personal  criticism  in  a  home ;  but  it  is  mis- 
chievous where  that  work  is  not  done  in  the 
tenderest  love.  I  have  sometin;>.M  been  aston- 
ished beyond  measure  by  the  niggardliness  of 


wnmm 


190  THE  roTKNTIAL  WOMAV. 

cominciidiition,  and  tho  abuiulanco  of  fault-fiiid 
ing  among  those  who  really  lovod  eacli  other 
dearly. 

I  ouco  heard  a  brother  say  to  his  sister :  "  I'm 
afraid  to  tell  you  what  I  think  of  you,  for  fear 
you  will  bo  like  the  Irishman's  sweetheart ;  she 
became  so  set  up  by  his  flatteries,  she  wouldn't 
spcuk  to  him." 

Nothing  makes  people  so  liumble  and  so  anx- 
ious to  show  themselves  woilhy  of  the  love  and 
confidence  of  their  friends  as  genuinely  honest, 
cordial  commendation.  When  a  poor  fellow's 
heart  is  throbbing  with  a  wretched  sense  of  in- 
competency, how  it  soothes  and  strengthens  him 
to  have  a  loving  hand  laid  on  his  arm,  and  to 
hear  tho  voice  that  is  dearer  than  all  beside 
whisper,  "  John,  you  did  nobly  to-night.  That 
can't  help  doing  good."  Some  time  when  ho  ii^ 
rested  and  fresh,  give  him  your  criticisms,  but 
let  it  be  always  wheu  he  feels  surest  of  your 
love. 

When  your  sister  has  to  do  some  public  work 
that  taxes  her  to  the  utmost,  do  not  let  your 


fcrnnrr-UHMm^^r.   ..      .u^^^......,:.     -  ,...»^,. 


9  of  fiiult-rnid 
Q(l  each  other 

s  sister :  "  I'm 
'  you,  for  fear 
reethcart ;  slie 
,  she  wouldn't 

lie  and  so  anx- 
f  the  love  and 
luinely  honest, 
,  poor  fellow's 
ed  sense  of  in- 
rcngthens  him 
is  arm,  and  to 
liiin  all  beside 
i)-night.  That 
me  when  he  if^ 
criticisms,  but 
surest  of  your 

no  public  work 
0  not  let  your 


JIAKINO  THE  HOME. 


197 


fear  of  her  faihiro  drive  you  out  of  the  room. 
Do  nut  sit  and  study  tlio  pattern  of  the  carpet, 
as  if  you  were  ashamed  to  look  up,  or  tie  your 
shawl  fringe  in  knots.  Let  her  have  one  face 
lifted  to  hers  from  which  she  can  catuh  a  ray  of 
courage  and  ho[)e. 

I  remember  a  breakfast-room  scene  that  hanirs 
in  my  memory  sweeter  and  brighter  than  any- 
thing I  ever  saw  from  the  hands  of  the  old  mas- 
ters. One  of  the  sons  —  and  any  sister  might 
be  proud  of  the  liandsomo  fellow  —  comes  in 
with  a  graceful  and  cheery  "Good-morning," 
then  bending  to  kiss  the  cheek  of  the  lionored 
one  at  the  head  of  the  table,  he  says :  "  (lood- 
morning,  grandmamma.  How  charming  your 
face  is  this  morning  I  How  I  wish  you'd  been 
at  the  Missionary  meeting  last  evening.  It 
would  have  done  your  heart -good  to  see  how 
beautifully  mamma  presided.  You  would  have 
been  proud  of  her.  And  Mary's  singing  — 
mamma,  didn't  you  think  she  sang  better  than 
usual?"  "I  don't  know,  dear."  The  mother 
turns  toward  her  daughter  with  a  look  of  siu- 


|] 


198 


th;e  potential  woman. 


cere  appreciation.  "  Mary  always  sings  well." 
"  Anybody  could  sing  with  such  lovely  accom- 
paniments as  you  ;ilay,  Harry  ; "  and  the  young 
lady's  face  is  lighted  with  the  pleasure  of  frank, 
hearty  commendation.  They  hardly  needed 
the  "  Grace "  at  that  table.  The  kind,  good 
words  Avere  to  me,  "the  stranger  within  their 
gates," 

"  Like  the  benediction  that  follows  the  prayer." 

I  thought :  "  Oh,  the  pity  that  it  is  so  rare, 
when  it  is  so  easy  to  brim  with  happiness  the 
hearts  that  we  hold  most  dear  I  " 

Where  there  is  this  loving  candor  there  must 
be  confidence.  Confidence  is  the  bond  that 
binds  people,  communities,  nations,  together,  and 
that  lifts  the  world  to  God.  When  it  is  gone 
there  is  nothing  left.  We  can  endure  anything 
for  those  whom  we  fully  trust.  Upon  the  firm- 
ness of  the  confidence  that  binds  together  the 
members  of  a  household  depend  their  fellow- 
ship and  joy  in  each  other. 

That  the  home  may  be  lifted  out  of  the  com- 


MAN. 

ays  sings  well." 
:h  lovely  accom- 
'  and  the  young 
leasuro  of  frank, 
hardly  needed 
riie  kind,  good 
jer  within  their 

the  prayer." 

at  it  is  80  rare, 
h  happiness  the 

ndor  there  must 
the  bond  that 
ns,  together,  and 
I'^hen  it  is  gone 
3ndure  anything 
Upon  the  fara- 
ds together  the 
id  tlieir  fellov/- 

out  of  the  com- 


MAKINO  THE  HOME. 


199 


monplace,  there  must  be  books  and  study.  It 
will  be  well  if  tliere  bo  also  pictures  and  music. 

You  can  prepare  for  this  by  gathering  your 
little  library  now  by  economies  that  any  one 
can  practise  who  has  oo  good  an  end  in  view. 
Better  repair  the  dress  and  wear  it  the  third 
season,  and  expend  the  value  of  a  new  one  in 
good,  wholesome,  mental  food.  When  you  have 
an  opportunity  of  learning  some  pretty  handi- 
craft, use  it  with  reference  to  the  inexpensive 
bric-a-braa  with  which  you  may  decorate  the 
walls  of  your  home. 

But  after  you  have  done  your  best  to  make 
ready,  you  will  find  that  all  will  be  useless  un- 
less you  have  God's  blessing.  Except  the  Lord 
build  the  house  the  workman  worketh  in  vain. 
Character  must  be  not  only  strong,  but  pure ; 
not  only  noble,  but  godly. 

Your  home  must  be  a  palace  of  the  King,  and 
not  a  palace  that  He  visits  once  in  a  long  while ; 
but  one  where  He  abides.  It  is  His  presence 
that  transforms  brick  and  marble  into  a  royal 
residence. 


200 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


Let  the  intention  be  established  within  yon 
that  when  you  have  a  home  of  your  own,  Clu'ist 
shall  be  recognized  at  the  table  and  in  daih- 
worship.  Love  for  Him  shall  not  be  a  theme  to 
be  spoken  of  only  with  bated  breath  and  when 
one  is  in  Sunday  dress,  but  it  shall  give  tone  to 
all  the  talk. 

All  servants  and  guests  shall  be  helped  heav- 
enward by  the  evcry-day  life.  You  must  begin 
at  once  to  abide  in  Hira,  that  you  may  have 
time  to  gather  strength  for  the  busier  and  more 
important  days. 


liHII»lllilll»ll|l.li»llJ 


MHMMUklftMMMMtfl 


N. 


tl  within  yon 
11-  own,  Clu'ist 
and  in  daily 
be  a  themo  to 
itli  and  when 
give  tone  to 

helped  lieav- 
Li  must  bccria 
ou  may  have 
iier  and  more 


CHAPTER  XV. 

WORK  rOK  CHIilST. 

Direct  service  for  Christ  — that  is,  the  win* 
ning  of  souls  to  Ilim— is  far  nobler  and  better 
than  any  other.  It  develops  the  personal  piety 
of  the  worker;  and  by  piety  I  do  not  mean 
simply  correct  deportment ;  no,  nor  a  little  stir 
of  devotional  sentiment,  an  occasional  good-na- 
tured impulse,  and  a  small  charity  or  so  sand- 
wiched between  great  slices  of  selfishness.  I 
mean  the  Christliness  that  gives  itself  utterly 
to  the  bringing  of  this  revolted  race  back  to 
its  loyalty  to  our  rightful  Prince. 

To  do  this  work  with  any  degree  of  success 
one  must  have  unquestioning  obedience  to  our 
Lord,  constant  trust  in  Him,  and  contact  with 
Him ;  and  these  are  also  the  conditions  of 
spiritual  growth. 

This  is,  of  all,  the  most  dignified  service. 
Servants  pride  themselves  upon  the  honors  of 

201 


mm^ 


202 


THE  rOTEKTIAL  WOMAN. 


their  employers,  patrons,  and  masters.  He 
whose  we  are  and  whom  wo  serve,  is  King  of 
kings,  and  Lord  of  lords.  Talk  about  its  being 
a  eross  to  sacrifice  for  II im  !  Wo  ought  to  leaj) 
for  joy  that  we  are  counted  worthy  to  suffer  for 
His  name ;  that  as  lie  was  in  the  world,  so  may 
we  be  also. 

All  that  I  have  said  about  health,  mental 
furnishing,  finance,  social  adjustment,  and  the 
rest,  is  simpl}'-  preparatory  to  this  service,  that 
you  may  be  fitted  for  the  work  of  winning 
souls. 

All  honorable  work  tends  toward  this,  and  it 
is  more  or  less  helpful  to  the  worker  and  the 
cause,  as  it  is  more  or  less  under  the  Divine 
control  and  blessing. 

Even  philanthropies  and  benevolences  that 
do  not  help  souls  to  the  Lord,  are  mere  pallia- 
tives, instead  of  specifics  for  the  sin  of  the 
world. 

Young  ladies  have  hardly  a  fair  field  in 
Christ's  direct  service ;  but  He  is  so  careful  au 
economist     that    if    they    prepare    themselves 


A.N. 

masters.  He 
•ve,  is  King  of 
ibout  its  Ixniig 
I  ought  to  leap 
ly  to  suffer  for 
world,  so  may 

lieallh,  mental 
ment,  and  the 
3  service,  that 
k  of    winning 

ird  this,  and  it 
orker  and  the 
er  the   Divine 

ivolences  that 
•6  mere  pallia- 
lie  sin  of  the 

I  fair  field  in 
i  so  careful  an 
L'e    themselves 


"WORK   FOR   CHRIST. 


203 


thoroughly,  He  will  see  to  it  that  they  have 
plenty  to  do.  Ho  says  He  will  set  before  you 
an  open  door,  and  no  man  can  shut  it. 

"  Yes,"  you  saj-,  "I  bclicive  you  ;  and  I  desire 
of  all  things  to  win  jjooplc  to  Christ ;  but  I  do 
not  know  how  to  get  about  it.  There  are  not 
many  things  for  girls  to  do." 

To  begin,  I  would  say,  whatsoever  your  hand 
findeth  to  do,  do  it,  not  only  with  your  might, 
but  for  the  Master's  glory.  I  have  a  friend 
•who  was  obliged,  through  financial  reverses,  to 
earn  her  livelihood  by  dressmaking.  She  would 
much  rather  have  been  holding  revival  services, 
but  there  was  her  little  daughter  and  invalid 
husband  demanding  her  care,  besides  the  rent 
and  grocery-  bills  were  to  be  paid.  So  she 
said :  "  I'll  trust  the  Lord  to  give  me  work  and 
skill,  and  I'll  do  my  best  to  help  the  spiritual 
life  of  every  lady  whose  dress  I  fit.  I  can,  at 
least,  tell  what  Christ  has  done  for  me;  and 
they'll  have  to  listen  to  it,  for  they  can't  very 
well  escape,  after  the  fitting  begins."  With 
that  earnest  resolve  and  trust,  she  went  to  work. 


"-H^aHl 


204 


THK  POTENTIAL   WOMAN. 


She  succeeded  well  in  her  business,  and  at  the 
same  time  she  helped  scores  find  the  Lord. 

Through  the  blood  of  Christ,  get  rid  of  your 
ambitions.  Self-seeking  vitiates  many  a  noble 
effort.  In  even  our  temporal  affairs  tlio  ques- 
tion ought  not  to  be :  "  Wliat  will  this  do  for 
me?"  but,  "Will  it  help  forward  Christ's 
cause  ?  "  "  Will  the  kingdom  come  the  sooner 
for  my  doing  tais,  rather  than  something  else  ?  " 
The  world  would  soon  be  brought  to  Cluist,  if 
all  who  bear  His  name  were  thus  loyal. 

In  Grant's  "Personal  Memoirs,"  though  there 
is  little  expressed  of  patriotic  or  devotional  sen- 
timent, yet  a  purpose  runs  tlirough  the  book 
like  the  vertebral  column  of  a  seri^ent,  which, 
you  know,  is  all  backbone,  to  put  down  the 
rebellion.  No  matter  whether  his  ability  was 
recognized  by  his  ranking  oflficer  or  not;  no 
matter  though  five-days'  marching  and  fighting 
had  to  be  done  on  two-days'  rations ;  no  matter 
what  his  personal  sufferings  were  from  expo- 
sure, hard  work,  dangers,  jealousies,  misunder- 
standings, there  was  nothing  to  be  done,  but, 


38,  and  at  the 

10  Lord. 

it  rid  of  your 
[lany  a  noblo 
lira  the  qnca- 

11  this  do  for 
.^ard  Christ's 
10  the  sooner 
3thingelse?" 
t  to  Cluist,  if 
Dyal. 

though  there 
5votional  sen- 
gh  the  book 
rpent,  which, 
at  down  the 
3  ability  was 
'  or  not;  no 
■  and  fighting 
s ;  no  matter 
)  from  expo- 
3S,  misunder- 
>e  done,  but, 


WORK  FOR  CHRIST. 


205 


as  he  said  of  himself  in  one  of  his  lieaviest 
fields,  to  "keep  right  on."  The  Government 
must  be  sustained. 

We  can  be  sure  of  the  result  in  our  efforts  to 
put  down  the  rebellion  against  our  King.  We 
have  infinite  resources  within  reach  of  our 
faith.  All  tiiat  is  lacking  is  the  tireless,  unsel- 
fish devotion  that  characterized  the  great  cap- 
tain. 

Grant  thought  of  himself  only  as  a  soldier. 
The  nation  had  educated  him,  and  it  had  a  just 
claim  upon  the  best  service  he  could  render. 

Think  of  yourself  not  as  a  possible  heroine, 
author,  artist,  poet,  but  as  a  worker  for  Christ. 
You  may  be  occupied  in  any  of  those  lines; 
but  the  prime,  overmastering  purpose  must  be, 
the  winning  of  souls  to  the  Lord.  If  you  have 
not  yet  reached  that  gracious  condition,  pray 
without  ceasing,  and  claim  the  promises  of  God 
till  you  are  so  equipped  for  the  service.  Be 
sure  it  will  save  you  a  deal  of  hard  discipline, 
if  you  attend  to  this  at  once. 

Be  what  you  want  others  to  become.    Live 


^1 


BtasMwatm  j^wL^i.  wum 


206 


TUB  rOTKNTIAL  WOMAN. 


according  to  your  text-hook.  Do  not  indulge, 
even  secretly,  a  fault  ngainst  which  you  wiini 
others.  If  you  urge  tlicni  to  live  by  the  thir- 
teenth chapter  of  First  Corinthians,  never  stain 
your  own  lipa  with  an  uncharitable  word. 

I  remember  a  pastor  who  had  an  inveterate 
love  for  tobacco.  His  disgust  of  the  habit 
would  keep  his  mouth  clean  months  at  a  time. 
Then  he  would  take  just  a  morsel  to  allay  ner- 
vous discomfcn-t,  and,  presto  I  he  was  inider  the 
power  of  the  weed.  No  one  knew  it  but  hci 
yet  while  he  talked  to  his  yoxnig  men  about 
the  expensive  and  harmful  liabit,  he  was  in  the 
dust  and  ashes  of  self-contempt.  One  day, 
when,  after  long  abstinence,  ho  was  on  the 
point  of  yielding  to  the  ten:iptation,  Some  One 
whispered  in  his  soul :  "  You  have  often  cried 
to  God  for  help  to  overcome ;  now  ask  Him  to 
remove  from  you  thij  wretched  appetite."  He 
fell  upon  his  knees,  threw  himself  upon  Christ's 
mercy,  and  claimed,  through  the  blood  of  the 
Atonement,  healing  from  the  unsoundness. 
That  >vas  fifteen  years  ago.  and,  to  this  da}-,  he 


lot  indulge, 
h  you  wiini 
by  tho  thir- 

ncvcr  stiiiu 
word. 

u  invoterato 
E  the  hiibit 
IS  nt  a  time. 
:o  allay  iicr- 
vs  under  the 
r  it  but  he  i 

men  about 

3  was  in  the 

One   day, 

tvas   on   the 

I,  Some  One 

often  cried 

ask  Iliiii  to 
)etite."  He 
pon  Christ's 
)Iood  of  tho 
iisoundness. 

this  dav,  he 


WOIIK   FOR  ClIIUST,  207 

lias  not  had  the  slightest  wish  to  touch  tobac- 


co. 


Social  strictness  has  kindly  saved  women  in 
our  latitude  and  longitude  from  the  tobacco 
habit ;  but  we  arc  human,  and  there  are  other 
chains  that  Satan  forges  for  us,  and  against 
which  some  of  us  have  to  struggle  desper- 
ately if  we  would  be  free  in  Christ.  Let  us 
ask  at  once,  that  the  Lion  of  Judah  may  break 
every  chain,  that  we  may  be  free  indeed;  and 
that  we  may  never  indulge,  even  secretly,  what 
wc.  would  condemn  in  others. 

Having  prayed  and  waited  before  the  Lord 
till  you  are  settled  in  regard  to  the  line  of  work 
He  intends  you  to  take  for  the  winning  of  souls, 
begin  immediately  a  thorough  jjreparation. 

If  you  are  to  bo  an  educator,  you  will  be 
surer  to  win  yotir  students  to  Christ,  if  you  do 
firi;.t-cla.ss  teaching.  They  must  respect  your 
genuineness,  where  they  can  see  your  work,  be- 
fore they  can  trust  you  heartily  to  lead  them  in 
paths  of  which  they  have  little  knowledge. 

"  That  man's  preachuig  will  never  do  me  any 


208 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


good,"  I  heard  a  woman  say,  not  long  since. 
— "  Wliy  ?  Doesn't  ho  preach  well  ?  "  —  "  Well 
enough,  I  suppose  ;  but  I  heard  him  yell  out  at 
a  boy  that  scared  his  horse,  —  though  I  was 
sure  the  child  didn't  mean  any  mischief,  —  in  a 
way  that  made  mo  feel  that  there  was  no  good 
in  his  preaching  for  me." 

A  hundred  sermons  and  a  thousand  prayers 
spoiled  by  one  impatient  word  I  Unreasonable  ? 
To  be  sure  ;  but  wo  may  as  well  face  the  facts, 
and  prei)are  ourselves  to  bo  guarded  at  every 
point.  We  are  on  an  enemy's  shore,  and  eter- 
nal vigilance  is  the  price  of  success  in  soul-win- 
ning as  in  everything  else. 

Master  carefully  the  details  of  the  work  you 
arc  set  to  do  ;  and  do  not  attempt  more  than 
you  can  do  well.  Those  who  are  superficial  in 
everything,  being  content  always  with  a  smat- 
tering of  what  they  are  supposed  to  know,  soon 
wear  out  the  respect  and  confidence  of  their 
associates. 

Some  women  are  glad  to  serve  on  any 
"  Board  "  to  which  they  can  be  elected,  when 


WORK  FOR  CHRIST. 


209 


long  since. 
"  —  "Well 
yell  out  at 
igli  I  was 
lief,  —  in  a 
as  no  good 

,nc1  prayers 
easonable  ? 
e  the  facts, 
(1  at  every 
e,  and  eter- 
n  soul-wiu- 

work  you 
more  than 
perficial  in 
ith  a  smat- 
know,  soon 
Be  of  their 

e  on  any 
cted,  when 


they  know  that  tho  extent  of  their  service  is 
simply  to  help  occasionally  at  "  making  a  quo- 
rum." A  little  of  tho  time  that  they  give  to 
ft^olish  chat,  would  euublo  them  to  master  tho 
details  of  tho  work  in  hand,  so  that  when  they 
said  "  Aye,"  upon  a  question,  it  would  bo  some- 
thing more  than  the  echo  of  a  leader's  opinion, 
—  it  would  represent  a  judgment  from  another 
standjjoint. 

Do  not  become  bigoted  about  a  work  that 
may  be  entrusted  to  you.  They  who  succeed 
constantly,  do  have  a  way  of  centering  all  their 
strength  upon  the  case  in  hand ;  and  yet,  if 
they  are  broad  enough  for  permanent  success, 
they  do  not  cast  others  out  of  the  synagogue 
because  they  regard  some  "ther  interest  as  more 
important.  Let  there  be  a  largeness  in  your 
thinking  that  will  enable  you  to  rejoice  in  the 
successes  of  <^hose  who  do  not  pronounce  your 
shibboleth. 

Only  one  who  is  Divinely  helped  can  attend 
faithfully  to  the  work  in  hand,  and  at  the  same 
time  take  in  the  field  where  others  toil. 


210 


TIIK   rOTKNTlAIi  WOMAN. 


V..ltuiro  said:  "Attention  to  minute  details 
is  the  grave  of  great  opportunities."  Ood  can 
nun.ber  hairs  an.l  uphold  worlds.  Only  they 
who  are  made  like  Ilim  in  spirit  can  hold  care- 
fully  and  strongly  the  one  point,  while  their 
Hvmpathies  are    broad    enough  to    cover    the 

whole.  n  u  •  14- 

It  may  seem  quite  unnecessary  to  tell  bright, 

ingenious  young  girls,  not  to  become  fossilized 
or  stereotyped  in  method;  but  I  am  talking 
now  more  about  what  you  are  to  become,  than 
what  you  are;  and  I  think  fossilization  is  not  a 
question  of  age.  When  young  folks  attempt 
to  help  souls  to  Christ  in  a  stiff,  unnatural, 
mechanical  way,  they  iiU  the  unregenerate  with 
contempt  and  wrath. 

Be  your  fresh,  natural,  simple  self  in  all  you 
attempt  to  do;  and  remember  one  thing:  you 
can  have  no  "  patent  right"  methods.  As  soon 
as  you  fancy  that  you  have  a  line  of  approach, 
an  order  of  questions,  or  a  style  of  deportment 
that  is  warranted  not  to  fail,  you  wiU  find  that 
that  on  which  you  rely  become^  altogether  un- 


-«iui»i  il|llll*»«M»»»WWa>WMM»— DWf 


mm-sm 


WOUK  Foil  oiiitrsT. 


211 


ito  details 
God  civn 
Only  thoy 
hold  caro- 
aiilo  their 
cover    the 

tell  blight, 
0  foasilizcd 
im  talking 
icomo,  than 
ion  is  not  a 
iks  attempt 
unnatural, 
nerato  with 

if  in  all  you 
thing:  you 
[8.  As  soon 
■A  approach, 
deportment 
n'.l  find  that 
[together  un- 


reliable. 'J'ho  re.wons  nro  plain  if  you  look 
toward  the  Mastor.  IIo  alone  knows  that 
Htrangceccon tile, disordered,  hu.nati  soul.  IIo 
only  can  tell  how  to  reach  it  with  Divine  truth. 
Wo  succeed  in  our  attempts  in  exact  proportion 
as  we  depend  on  Ilim  to  teach  us  the  method 
of  approach.  In  so  far  as  wo  depend  on  past 
successes,  wo  cease  to  d.pend  on  I  Jim;  and  so 
wo  fail  to  make  available  Ilis  power,  which  is 
our  oidy  hope. 

While  we  have  close,  personal  contact  with 
Christ,  we  shall  be  kept  trom  "cant,"  which  is 
merely  a  good  thing  said  too  many  times. 
Short-sighted  peoj.Io  may  give  us  credit  for 
generalship  and  originality  in  the  Lord's  work; 
but  it  is  simply  our  "hearkening  diligently"  to 
what  the  Friends  call  the  "Inner  Voice,"  and 
obeying  it  without  hesitation  or  demur. 

There  are  no  better  forms  of  speech  for  us  to 
use  than  those  given  in  Gods  Word;  and  avo 
cannot  do  better  in  the  way  of  furnishing  than 
to  commit  it  to  memory.  We  can  more  easily 
have  faith  for  the  message  to  take  hold  upon 


21-' 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


the  soul,  if  we  give  it  in  God's  words,  than 
when  we  use  our  own  forms  of  expression  ;  for 
He  has  promised  that  His  Word  siiall  accom- 
plish that  whereunto  He  hath  sent  it.    Yet  wo 
must  have  the  spirit  as  well  as  the  letter  in 
using  Scripture.     It  became  the  boldest  hypo- 
critical cant  under  Cromwell's  Bavebones  Par- 
liament; and  in  our  own  time  the  Mormons 
utter  such  blasphemous   absurdities,  claiming 
tliat  the  Holy  Kj.iv^t  tells  them  to  say  so  and 
so,  that  when  one  is  among  them  he  is  almost 
ashamed  to  use   that  most  holy  name,  or  to 
quote  the  words  of  inspiration. 

It  requires  Divine  wisdom  to  live  within 
whispering  reach  of  Him  who  said:  "I  am 
with  you  alway,'  and  not  have  the  appearance 
of  telephonic  familiarity  and  carelessness ;  and 
also  to  carry  constantly  His  messages  to  souls, 
and  not  become  self-conscious  and  mechanical. 
But  the  great  comfort  is.  He  has  ])romisod  to 
give  wisdom  liberally,  just  for  the  asking. 

God  often  sends  to  the  mark  the  arrow  from 
a  bow  drawn  at  a  venture ;  but  that  is  not  His 


NMM 


ik;-- 


r. 


WORK  FOR  CHRIST. 


213 


(vords,  than 
tressioii ;  for 
sliall  accom- 
,  it.    Yet  wo 
the  letter  in 
loldest  hypo- 
lebones  Par- 
he  Mormons 
ies,  claiming 
i  say  so  and 
he  is  almost 
name,  or  to 

1   live  •within 
said:    "I   am 
lie  appearance 
jlessness;  and 
iagea  to  souls, 
id  mechanical. 
18  ])romisod  to 
I  asking, 
he  arrow  from 
;hat  is  not  His 


rule  for  our  service,  as  I  have  observed  His 
work.  When  he  sets  us  at  the  winninor  of  a 
soul,  we  must  go  about  it  with  as  complete  a 
renunciation  of  self  as  if  there  were  nothing 
else  in  the  universe  worthy  our  thought  for 
that  hour.  We  must  remember  those  in  the 
bonds  of  sin  as  bound  with  them.  We  must 
put  our  souls  in  their  souls'  stead,  and  work  as 
if  our  own  salvation  were  at  stake. 

One  wintry,  stormy  night,  a  wreck  signalled 
a  Life-Saving  Station  for  help.  The  "shot- 
line  "  was  sent  from  the  mortar  over  the  strand- 
ed ship ;  the  "  whip-lines  "  had  been  drawn  out 
to  her  and  made  fast,  but  the  pulleys  would  not 
work.  Something  had  gone  wrong.  There 
was  no  time  to  lose,  for  the  vessel  would  soon 
go  to  pieces,  and  the  crew  perish  in  the  breakers. 
So  earnest  were  the  life-saving  men  to  rescue 
them,  that  one  went  out  on  the  ropes  to  the 
wreck  hand  over  hand.  The  great  surges  bat- 
tered him,  and  rolled  over  him,  pitching  him 
this  way  and  that,  but  out  he  crept  into  the 
pitiless  night    and    dangerous  sea.    It  was  a 


214 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


little  thing  that  he  had  to  set  right  upon  the 
wreck,  but  if  he  had  not  risked  all  to  reach  the 
imperilled  crew,  they  would  have  gone  down. 
When  God  sets  us  to  bring  souls  to  Himself, 
we  must  be  ready  to  swing  out  into  the  teeth 
of  tempests,  and  upon  the  wildest  seas,  if  we 
may  but  save  them  from  death. 

But  when  this  work  of  winning  souls  to 
Christ  becomes  the  passion  of  the  life,  is  there 
not  risk  of  over-enthusiasm  and  fanaticism? 
To  be  sure  there  is ;  for,  as  a  quaint  old  man 
said :  "  You  can't  get  out  of  gun-shot  of  Satan 
while  you  stay  in  this  world."  You  may  trust 
Christ  to  keep  you  from  the  tangential  ten- 
dency that  comes  with  the  increase  of  power. 
To  be  and  do  just  right,  we  must  constantly 
"  walk  neat,"  as  the  Jubilee  Singers  sing,  with 
better  sense  than  English.  The  exact  line  of 
right  action  is  as  difficult  to  hold,  as  the  hair 
bridge  Mohammed's  souls  were  obliged  to  walk 
over  to  get  into  Paradise.  To  plow  a  straight 
furrow  a  man  sights  some  object  across  the 
field,  and  keeps  his  eye  upon  it.    To  make 


RHbvw  •■  ■""  ■ 


Ju 


WOIIK   FOR   CHRIST. 


215 


ipon  the 
each  the 
le  down. 
Himself, 
he  teeth 
13,  if  we 

souls  to 
,  is  there 
laticism  ? 
old  man 
of  Satan 
nay  trust 
itial  ten- 
)f  power, 
onstantly 
ling,  with 
jt  line  of 
the  hair 
1  to  walk 
a  straight 
cross  the 
To  make 


straight  paths  for  our  feet  we  must  constantly 
look  unto  Jesus,  the  Author  and  Finisher  of 
our  faith. 

According  to  our  faith  it  will  be  done  unto 
us.  In  other  words,  our  success  will  be  meas- 
ured by  our  ability  to  bring  God  into  each 
case,  and,  by  our  self-losing  trust  in  Ilis  power, 
making  available  His  omnipotence.  Christ 
said  :  "  Without  me  ye  can  do  nothing^  The 
excellency  of  the  power  is  not  of  men,  but  of 
God. 

There  are  said  to  be  thirty  thousand  promises 
in  the  Bible.  If  you  will  avail  yourself  of  but 
this  one  :  "  Lo  I  am  with  you  alway,"  your  suc- 
cess as  a  soul-winner  will  be  fully  assured. 

I  remember  once  trying  to  lead  a  young  lady 
to  Christ,  when  there  was  nothing  in  her  man- 
ner to  indicate  her  interest  in  her  own  salva- 
tion, except  that  she  was  willing  to  let  me  talk 
with  her  on  the  subject.  When  I  pressed  the 
question:  "Will  j'ou  now  offer  yourself  to 
Him  for  His  service  ?  "  she  would  make  some 
careless,  evasive  reply,  about  having  to  give  up 


216 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


this  or  that  amusement  or  association.  At 
length,  it  came  to  me  that  I  was  trusting  in  my 
own  efforts.  Had  not  those  same  appeals  been 
the  means  of  helping  many  decide  for  Christ, 
and  "vould  they  not  win  her?  I  cried  in  my 
heart :  '  Blessed  Lord,  forgive  me  for  attempt- 
ing to  do  Thy  work!  Now  I  step  back,  out  of 
the  way,  and  ask  Thee  to  win  this  child  to  Thy- 
self." She  knew  nothing  of  what  was  going  on 
in  my  soul,  but  when  I  turned  to  her  again 
with  the  question :  "  Miss  Elmer,  will  you  now 
give  yourself  to  Christ?"  her  carelessness  had 
vanished,  and  she  responded  from  the  depths  of 
a  deep  nature:  "Yes,  ma'am,  I  will."  Within 
fifteen  minutes  she  gave  evidence  of  having 
been  thoroughly  converted.         ' 

That  we  may  learn  and  keep  this  secret,  of 
the  Lord,  we  must  hold  our  consecration  intact 
and  complete.  Take  any  little  work  that  our 
hands  find  to  do,  and  do  it  with  our  might  for 
His  glory.  Remember,  for  His  glory,  not  for 
your  own,  or  that  of  your  friends,  or  your 
church,  or  your  doctrine.    The  plainest  work, 


fait] 
pedi 
side 
in  t 

T 
you 
ors 
thei 
heai 
leas 
He 
had 
its  \ 
Chr 
sayi 
mul 

\^ 
Let 
tion 
ties. 

S; 
one 
hav( 


WORK  FOR  CHRIST. 


217 


faithfully  done,  with  His  blessing,  will  be  a 
pedestal  high  enough  to  give  you  all  the  con- 
sideration that  He  sees  it  best  for  you  to  have 
in  this  short  life. 

The  world  is  Christ's  enemy.  Its  favor  is 
your  greatest  danger.  Ulysses  obliged  his  sail- 
ors to  bind  him  to  the  mast  of  his  ship,  and  fill 
their  own  ears  with  wax  so  that  they  could  not 
hear  his  entreaties  or  commands  for  them  to  re- 
lease him,  when  they  sailed  by  the  sirens'  isle. 
He  knew  that  the  music  of  the  enchantresses 
had  lured  myriads  to  their  death,  and  he  feared 
its  power.  We  must  be  bound  to  the  cross  of 
Christ,  and  have  our  hearts  filled  with  those 
sayings  of  His,  if  we  would  go  safely  where 
multitudes  have  perished. 

We  are  living  in  a  day  of  grand  opportunities. 
Let  us  be  broad  enough  to  take  in  "  the  situa- 
tion," and  measure  up  to  our  highest  possibili- 
ties. 

Sydney  Smith  declared  it  an  impertinence  for 
one  with  less  than  a  thousand  pounds  a  year  to 
have  an  opinion.    We  live  in  a  land  where  the 


218 


THE   POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


poorest  of  the  sovereign  people  may  have  opin- 
ions, and  in  a  day  wlien  wliosoever  can,  may 
express  his  or  her  opinion  with  all  the  power 
that  can  be  crowded  into  it  by  a  noble  life. 

"We  are  living,  we  are  moving, 
In  a  grand  and  awful  time." 

Events  are  crashing  by,  so  potent  in  result 
that  they  might  stir  dead  men  in  their  shrouds. 
We  cannot  shirk  our  part  in  them. 

Never  did  woman  wield  such  a  sceptre  of 
power  as  that  which  American  Protestantism 
has  put  into  her  hands.  Mordecai  said  to  Queen 
Esther:  ".Who  knoweth  whether  thou  art  come 
to  the  kingdom  for  such  a  time  as  this? "  But 
he  added,  in  a  warning  which  it  will  be  well  for 
us  to  heed:  "If  thou  altogether  boldest  thy 
peace  at  this  time,  then  shall  enlargement  and 
deliverance  arise  from  another,  but  thou  and 
thy  father's  house  shall  be  destroyed." 

South  of  the  equator  the  constellation  known 
as  the  Southern  Cross  shines  with  rare  radiance. 
The  traveller,  camping  for  the  night  on  the  An- 


"■wi 


ive  opin- 
an,  may 
le  power 
life. 


in  result 
shrouds. 

ceptre  of 
sstantism 
to  Queen 
art  come 
I?"  But 
e  well  for 
Ldest  thy 
ment  and 
thou  and 

3n  known 
t radiance, 
n  the  An- 


WOKK  FOR  CIIIUST. 


219 


des,  sets  his  watch,  and  goes  to  his  rest.  As 
the  night  wears  away,  he  calls  to  the  watchman: 
"What  of  the  night?  What  is  the  hour?" 
The  watchman  looks  up  into  the  deep,  dark  sky, 
and  replies  to  the  traveller,  "  It  is  past  midnight, 
for  the  cross  is  bending."  Thank  God,  it  is  past 
midnight,  and  the  cross  of  our  Lord  is  bending 
to  the  wretched  and  perishing. 

Through  the  sweet  and  tender  ministrations 
of  Christian  women,  hundreds  of  thousands  of 
the  most  degraded  and  oppressed  of  human  be- 
ings,—  the  women  of  the  Orient, — have  cauglit, 
even  in  their  dungeons  of  darkness  and  despair, 
rays  from  the  cross  of  our  Redeemer.  Neglected 
women  in  our  own  land  are  being  rescued  from 
a  fate  no  less  miserable,  and  a  gloom  no  less 
appalling,  by  the  same  tender  and  puissant 
love.  They  who  are  bound  by  the  chains  of 
appetite  are  being  set  at  liberty  through  the 
tireless  zeal  of  the  queenly  "  temperance  wom- 
en " ;  and  the  noble  White  Cross  Legion  are 
bending  over  the  maelstrom  of  death,  to  help 
out  and  upon  the  Rock,  those  in  whose  baleful 


220 


THE  POTENTIAL  WOMAN. 


loss  all  suffer,  but  fcr  whose  perishing  none 
seem  to  care. 

In  this  day  of  widening  opportunities,  may 
the  blood  of  Christ  \/a8h  the  heart  of  each  of 
you  whiter  than  snoiir,  and  fill  tii9  soul  of  each 
with  a  deathless  purpose  to  do  her  very  utmost 
to  bring  to  His  kingdom  Him  who  rules  that 
He  may  save 


wawwH 


Sf^' 


ing  none 

ties,  may 
I  each  of 
1  of  each 
:y  utmost 
rules  that 


OUR  OWN  PUBlddATlON^. 

SENT  POSTPAID  FOR  RKTAIU  PRICK. 


BOOTH,  CATHERINE.     AKgreuivc  Chriiitlanity. 
CJ<xlIincss. 

BOWEN,  Rev.  G.    The  Anien«  of  Christ. 

CURNICK,  Rev.  E.  T.     A  Lalcchism  on  Clmstlan  Perfection. 

OASSAWAY,  Rev.  B.  F.    The  Second  KlLnsing  Demonstrated. 

Good  News  in  .Song. 

ORACBY,  Rev.  S.  L.    The  Funeral  Service.     For  the  use  of  min- 
isters.   Cloth,  50c.  i  leather, 

KRAUSER,  Rev.  O.  von  B.    Six  Years  with   Uithop  Taylor  in 

South  America. 

LEVY,  Rev.  E.  M.     Pearis  of  Promise. 

McDonald,  Rev.  W.     New  Testament  Standard. 
"  Saved  to  the  Uttermost. 

"  and  J.  E.  SBARLBS.    Life  of  Rev.  J. 

S.  Inskip. 

MILLS,  ABBIB.    Quiet  Hallelujahs. 

MUDGE,  Rev.  JAMES.    F.  W.  Faber. 

MUNQBR,    Rev.  CHAS.    The  Historical  Position  ol  Wedeyan 
Methodism  on  Holinesa, 

PEARSE,  MARK  GUY.    Thoughts  on  Holineu. 

REID,  ISAIAH.     Holiness  Bible  Readings. 

Sacred  Melo<Ui:!>,  No.  1. 

Songs  of  Joy  and  Gladness.,  Words  only,  iic;  music, 

TAYLOR,  Rev.  B.  S.    Full  Salvation.    Flexible,  40CI  doth, 

True  Perfection :  The  Story  of  Job. 

WILLING,  Mra.  J.  F.    From  Fifteen  to  Twenty-five.    (Gilt,  7sc.) 
Potential  Woman. 

WOOD,  Rev.  J.  A.    Christian  Perfection  as  Tatight  by  John  Wesley. 

WATSON,  Rev.  G.  D.    White  Robes. 
Coals  of  Fire. 
Holiness  Manual. 
Fruits  of  Canaan. 


50 
I  00 

50 
■o 
ao 

7$ 

I  oo 
IS 
5» 
as 

I  00 
7S 
50 

10 

SO 

•s 

An 
so 
so 
SO 
50 
I  00 

50 
SO 
SS 

10 


HOLINESS  BOOKS  OF  OTHER  PUBLISHERS  ALSO  KEPT 
ON  SALE. 


McDonald  &  gill,  Publishers,  Boston. 

I 


Mrs.  Willing's  Latest  and  Best  Books. 

Dr.  A.  Lowrey  *»y  :  "  Mri.  J.  F.  Willing  ii  the  belt  Udy  writer 
in  America." 

From  Fifteen  to  Twenty-Fiye. 

^  fiook  for  J0O28. 

224  pages;  i2mo.j  very  handsomely  bound.      50  cts. 

This  book  In  beautifully  bound,  beautifully  printed,  and  beautifully  writ- 
ten.  It  liaamoregdiKl  sense  to  llic  »<|uare  incli  than  any  bixik  written  spe- 
cially (or  young  men  tlialwe  have  ever  read— the  Book  of  I'roverba  excepted. 
—  Dr.  Hasiki.  Sthklb. 

J.  F.  Willing  has  written  a  good  book  for  boys,  entitled  "  From  Fifteen 
to  Twenty-five."  It  considers  the  duties,  di^cipline,  temptations,  opportuni- 
ties,  sources  of  strength,  etc.,  which  come  to  young  people,  and  seeks,  by 
wise  counsel,  to  incite  its  readers  to  make  the  very  best  use  of  their  lives.  — 

CENTKAL  ClIKlSTlAN  ADVOCATE. 

An  instructive  little  volume  from  the  pen  of  Mrs.  J.  F.  Willing.  The 
subject  is  a  trite  one,  but  it  is  treated  in  a  very  fresh  and  a.^'iciive  manner. 
These  years  are  the  determining  ones  of  a  youth's  career.  Mi  .  /filling  writes 
wisely,  kindly  and  impressively,  in  reference  to  almost  every  position  i-  which 
young  men  find  themselves  as  life  opens  before  them.  It  is  a  wholesome  and 
excellent  book  to  place  in  the  hands  of  a  lad  as  he  is  about  to  leave  his  home 
or  to  start  in  business.  —  Zion's  Hbkald. 


The  Potential  Woman. 

'3i  Book  for  ©iris. 

Uniform  with  the  above.     50  cts. 


McDonald  &  gill.  Publishers,  Boston. 


Jg 


By  J 


Rkv. 
•ongs  in  it 

Dr.  G 
Rev. 
A  Wb 
Prof. 

for  the  sail 
lUv.  I 
Rev. 
Rev. 

Ue  with  th 
Rev. 

and  inter«i 
Rbv., 


Words 
Words 


McD 


oks. 


dy  writer 


F'lYi:. 


3  CtS. 

itifiilly  writ. 
ATittcn  spe- 
lls excepted, 

rom  Fifteen 
,  opportunl- 
il  seeks,  by 
itir  lives. — 

illing.  Th» 
live  manner, 
■'illing  writes 
ion  i"-  which 
lulcRome  and 
ve  his  homa 


I. 


AN  IMMENSE  SUCCESS. 

80,000  Copies  sold  in  eighteen  months  I 
SONGS  er 

Joy  and  Gi2Adness 

By  McDonald,  Cili.,  Kirkpatrick,  and  Sweney. 


Commendations. 


Rkv.  John  Parker:  "Voiir  hook  has  met  my  ideal.    There  are  fifty 
iongs  in  it,  any  ten  uf  which  would  sell  the  book." 

Dr.  G.  D.  Watson  :  "  It  ii  as  near  perfect  as  a  song-book  can  well  be." 
Rev.  W,  B.  Wigoins;  "'ITie  best  book  out." 
A  Well-known  Composer;  "  Beautiful  as  well  as  grand." 
Prof.  O,  L.  Cartkr,  Boston ;  "  No  better  book  of  song  yet  produced 
for  the  saints  of  the  nineteenth  century." 

Rev.  S,  a.  Sands:  "  For  social  meetings  it  is  unsurpassed." 

Rev.  F,  E.  White:  "Our  people  are  delighted  with  it." 

Rev.  M.  W.  Knapp:  "The  book  is  rightly  named,  and  is  a  great  favor- 
Ue  with  the  people." 

Rev.  J.  A.  Wood;  "  U  has  delighted  our  people,  and  inspired  new  life 
and  interest  in  the  meetings. " 

Rev.  J.  F,  Oliver  ;  "  It  is  a  gem." 


Words  and  Music  :  40  cts,  each  ;  $4  per  doz.;  $30  per  loo. 
Words  ONLY:  JJoard  covers,  15  cts.;  $1,50  per  do/., 
I'aper       "       I3  cts.;  ;Ji,io  per  doz. 


loston. 


Mcdonald  &  gill,  Publishers,  Boston. 


AggpB^^iVe  ChPi^tianllii, 

BY  CATHERINE  DOOTH. 

I&trodnotion  by  Daniel  Steele,  DD. 

Thl»  Hook  has  met  with  %  remarkably  favoralilo  rnrnptlon  i 
llonin  of  the  Icaillne  )ia|»'rM  (UwotliiK  more  timii  a  column  <>/ 

«iiavfi  to  o iiM'iitlntnry  iiotlocH  of  It,    It  U  enUoned  by  every 

earnest  Cbrlitlun  who  iiaa  read  it. 


PRICE,  FIFTY  CENTS. 


•*GODLINESS» 

BY  CATHERINE  BOOTH. 

Zntrodnctloii  by  Daniel  Steele,  D.D. 

nr.  noiiRan  Clarke  gayii:  "Tl>l«  little  book  will  be  an  admlr> 
•bill  companion  to  '  ARnresgl vo  OhrUtlanlty.'  There  In  the  aarae 
olenr-ciit,  keen,  inflUive  atyle,  and  the  Rame  exposure  and  hatred 
of  Bbum.    We  oouimend  it  to  our  readers." 

PRICE,  FIFTY  OENTg. 


THE  HOLT  GHOST, 


AKO 


THE  PEEFEOT  HEABT. 


These  are  two  sermons  which  we  have  selected  from  the  above 
books,  and  published  iu  tract  form.  3  cts.  each:  30  cts.  perdos.: 
|2  per  100 

McDonald  &  gill,  Publishers, 
86  Bboufield  St.       -      -      -      •       BosTOK. 


11— 


l.'MWBBBIE^'^ 


. 


y 


